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Vaccines, human challenge studies and impact on AMR

The ISAC Rapid diagnostics and biomarkers Working Group hosted a focused scientific webinar exploring how vaccines and controlled human infection models (CHIMs) can accelerate vaccine development and reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Chaired by Prof. Kordo Saeed, the session featured three expert speakers presenting advances in pertussis, Salmonella, and malaria research.

1. Using Human Challenge Models to Advance Pertussis Vaccines

Speaker: Dr Adam Dale, University of Southampton

Dr Dale highlighted the major contribution of respiratory infections to global antibiotic prescribing and the resulting selective pressure for AMR. He presented the Southampton group’s pioneering Bordetella pertussis human challenge model, which safely induces asymptomatic colonisation and identifies mucosal immune responses associated with protection.

The model enabled early phase testing of BPZE1, a live attenuated nasal vaccine, showing reduced colonisation and lower bacterial burden—supporting its progression to Phase 3 trials.

2. Salmonella Challenge Models to Accelerate Vaccine Development

Speaker: Dr Malick Gibani, Imperial College London

Dr Gibani discussed global AMR challenges in Salmonella Typhi and non typhoidal Salmonella. Oxford’s modern typhoid challenge model has been used in over 500 volunteers, providing rapid efficacy data for typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs).

These studies showed high protection—including against drug resistant strains—directly influencing WHO recommendations and enabling rollout of TCVs across endemic countries. He also highlighted emerging challenge models for Paratyphi A and Typhimurium.

3. Controlled Human Malaria Infection (CHMI) in Vaccine Development

Speaker: Dr Jennifer van Heerden, Oxford University (Draper Lab Group and Oxford Vaccine Group)

Dr van Heerden outlined how CHMI supports rapid optimisation and selection of malaria vaccine candidates. CHMI was central to developing the WHO approved RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix M vaccines. CHMI has also been useful in evaluating blood-stage vaccine candidates and will likely be useful in next-generation multi-stage vaccine development.

She also described recent advances, including:

• Blood stage CHMI in Tanzania
• The first cryopreserved P. vivax blood stage inoculum
• The first relapsing P. vivax CHMI model

Malaria vaccines can reduce both anti malarial drug use and unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for fever, contributing to AMR reduction.

Engagement

Participants described the webinar as highly informative, well organised and relevant. Many highlighted the value of the scientific updates for their clinical and research work and found the webinar insightful, engaging and enriching.

Join ISAC’s Rapid Diagnostics and Biomarkers Working Group for a webinar exploring Vaccines, Human Challenge Studies and Their Impact on AMR. This session brings together leading experts advancing the frontiers of vaccine development through controlled human infection models. Dr Adam Dale will discuss leveraging human challenge models for pertussis vaccine development, followed by Dr Malick Gibani on human challenge models for Salmonella to accelerate vaccine innovation. The programme concludes with Dr Jennifer van Heerden, who will unpack the valuable role of controlled human malaria infection models (CHMIs) in malaria vaccine development. A must attend event for anyone interested in vaccines, infectious diseases, and the future of AMR mitigation.

WATCH

PROGRAMME

1. Leveraging human challenge models for pertussis vaccine development
Dr Adam Dale

2. Human Challenge Models for Salmonella to Accelerate Vaccine Development
Dr Malick Gibani

3. The Malaria Challenge: the valuable role of controlled human malaria infection models (CHMIs) in malaria vaccine development
Dr Jennifer van Heerden

Moderator: Prof. Kordo Saeed