Our Research
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The MpoxVax AFRIVAC consortium
- Has extensive experience in contributing research that translates to enhanced response to health threats, as evidenced during the COVID19 pandemic
- Includes academic partners who have existing long-term partnerships with ongoing clinical research, including laboratory and clinical research capacity building along with a network of clinical sites with well-trained healthcare workers
- Builds upon existing networks set up including the St Andrews-Africa Health Research network (StAAHR, 2021), AFRIVAC (all partners, 2023) and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials Network Ireland (ID-CNTI) (Ref CTN-2021-014) in which the European Mpox Vax trial is embedded (Ref: MONKEYVAX-2022-1, Ireland, 2021)
- Has experience in collaborating with organizations from the civil society, representing citizens and patients.
The ambition of the MpoxVax AFRIVAC Project includes sharing of new technology in Mpox diagnostics with affected countries, determining the relative immunogenicity of Mpox vaccination in immunosuppressed individuals and women as well as comparing the durability of immune responses in different populations (European versus African).
Objectives
The project aims to generate rapid results and important strategic outputs through the following 5 objectives:
To adapt, expand and implement an established European, phase 4, single-arm, prospective clinical trial (MpoxVax Trial, EUCT number:2023-507881-19-00) that explores the immunogenicity and durability of response to Mpox vaccination in at-risk individuals in an African setting, focusing on regions worst affected by the ongoing 2023 Clade I Mpox outbreak.
To further refine and validate a pre-existing, novel, sensitive and specific, quantitative immunoassay developed by UCD that differentiates vaccine-induced versus infection-induced human anti-Mpox immune responses.
To determine and compare the relative immunogenicity and durability of immune responses post Mpox vaccination in those with immunosuppression and women.
To compare and determine factors associated with humoral immune responses post vaccination in European and African populations, including impact of sex, immunosuppression, age, ethnicity, risk factors for transmission and socio-demographic factors.
To use existing expertise in diagnostics development and international multicentre trials to rapidly transfer new and novel technology to Africa to improve Mpox diagnostics for vaccine trials, establish and provide staff training for a regional Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) linked to trained trial sites to coordinate vaccine trials and improve laboratory capacity by expanding expertise in multicentre sample processing and biobanking for clinical trials.
Work Packages
WP1 comprises all managerial and coordination activities to ensure this interdisciplinary project is well- coordinated scientifically and well-managed operationally, and that its achievements are adequately disseminated and communicated to the stakeholders, the research community, healthcare professionals and the society.
WP lead and Project Coordinator: UCD, Prof Patrick Mallon
WP2 will adapt and conduct the MpoxVax clinical trial for the evaluation of humoral immune responses of participants at risk of Mpox infection receiving the modified vaccinia ankara (MVA) vaccine in Uganda, Tanzania and DRC.
WP lead and Scientific Coordinator: MLI, Prof Bruce Kirenga
Co-Lead: UCD, Prof Eoin Feeney
WP3 will set up the laboratory assay harmonisation programme including quality control/ quality assuranceamong the participating laboratories and will adapt and validate the novel serological immunoassay developed by CEPHR in the African setting.
WP Lead: UNHRO, Dr Andrew Obuku
WP4 will be responsible for Community Engagement, ensuring the participants’ and the public’s views areconsidered and represented, as well as for knowledge Exchange and technology transfer between European and African partners and project finding dissemination.
WP Lead: USTAN, Dr Wilber Sabiiti