Lyme disease, caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodes ticks, is expanding in many countries, posing a significant global health concern. The outer surface protein A (OspA) of B. burgdorferi is currently the most promising target for vaccine development, primarily because of its broad conservation among different bacterial strains that cause the disease. In a recent publication, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and collaborators proposed using a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated nucleoside-modified mRNA (mRNA-LNP) platform, similar to that of clinical vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, to develop a vaccine against Lyme disease.

Viruses of the Betacoronavirus genus that bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are the coronaviruses posing the most significant pandemic risk. Sarbecoviruses of this genus caused the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Therefore, new vaccines with broader protection from ACE2-binding sarbecoviruses and emerging variants of concern are urgently needed.

The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund has announced new investments in the development of a new prophylactic vaccine against malaria, a new anti-malarial drug, and product development projects against neglected tropical diseases.

Phylex Biosciences Inc. has announced plans to pursue the development of a nanoparticle mRNA vaccine against the Nipah virus. Last year, the company published proof of principle for its second-generation nanoparticle mRNA vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 delta virus.

Evaxion Biotech A/S has established a collaboration with Afrigen Biologics Pty Ltd. aimed at developing a prophylactic mRNA vaccine against gonorrhea.

Spybiotech Ltd. has filed a clinical trial application (CTA) with the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to evaluate SPYVLP-01, a vaccine targeting human cytomegalovirus (CMV) using its hepatitis B virus-like-particle platform technology.

Evaxion Biotech A/S has announced the initiation of a novel pipeline program, EVX-B3, an artificial intelligence (AI)-designed vaccine candidate against an undisclosed bacterial pathogen. The new vaccine project will be the subject of a co-funded collaboration between Evaxion and an undisclosed partner.

Biontech SE and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) have established a strategic partnership to advance mRNA-based vaccine candidates with the development of BNT-166 for the prevention of mpox (formerly monkeypox).