3 questions to Pr. Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur

Interview with Pr. Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur

Focus 2030 : Institut Pasteur has been an internationally recognized player in the fight against infectious diseases since its creation in 1887. Today, Institut Pasteur is working to prevent more than 60 diseases. What role does your organization play in vaccine research today ? What is the most promising research and what avenues are you planning to explore in the years ahead ?

Yasmine Belkaid : Institut Pasteur has been an internationally recognized player in the fight against infectious diseases since it was founded in 1887. Our organization plays a crucial role in vaccine research, focusing on at least three priority areas.

On the one hand, we develop new vaccines : we are actively involved in the research and development of new vaccines against infectious diseases for which there are currently no effective vaccines, such as Lassa fever, shigellosis or tuberculosis.

On the other hand, we are improving the efficacy and safety of existing vaccines through research.

Finally, we work to strengthen vaccine capacities, by developing new formulations and optimizing production methods to make vaccines more accessible and affordable. And we help those involved in the research and development of new vaccines in many countries around the world, particularly in the South, by developing local capacities : as a member of the Pasteur Network, a network of research organizations in over 30 countries that contribute to improving global health, we work to strengthen vaccine research and production capacities in low- and middle-income countries. This includes training vaccinology researchers, improving research infrastructure and promoting international partnerships in a spirit of partnership.

Focus 2030 : Unequal access to vaccines for the countries that need them most was clearly demonstrated during the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The limited resources devoted to research into the most widespread diseases in developing countries, and the extent to which vaccines are deployed in the poorest countries, are a stark reminder that market forces accentuate the inequalities between rich and poor countries. Can you tell us about the obstacles research institutes face in financing their vaccine research ?

Yasmine Belkaid : To answer this question, it is important to understand the many obstacles that research institutes face in financing their vaccine research, particularly in developing countries.

I’m thinking first of all of financial reasons. Many countries suffer from a lack of public and private funding. Governments in developing countries often have limited budgets for healthcare research and development (R&D). Public funding is often insufficient to support the high costs of vaccine research. The private sector may also be reluctant to invest in research into diseases that mainly affect poor countries, as the return on investment is perceived as low due to these countries’ low purchasing power. In addition, the financial risks are high. The research and development of new vaccines is an expensive and risky process. They require heavy investment of time and resources, with no guarantee of success. Pharmaceutical companies are often reluctant to invest in high-risk projects without some form of financial support or guarantee. Moreover, there are inequalities in international funding. International and philanthropic funding programs, while important, do not always fully bridge the financial gap. The priorities of international donors do not always correspond to specific local needs, creating mismatches between available funding and research requirements on the ground. Funding mechanisms such as grants and loans can also be complex and difficult to obtain for research laboratories in developing countries.

But there are also many other factors at play, particularly in the field of infrastructure and equipment. Research infrastructures are limited in many parts of the world. In particular, in many developing countries, research infrastructure, including laboratories and the necessary equipment, is insufficient or obsolete. This limits the ability of local researchers to conduct advanced studies and develop new vaccines. The lack of research centers and qualified personnel also hinders the progress of research projects. I’m also thinking of limited access to technologies and materials. Researchers in developing countries may find it difficult to access the cutting-edge technologies and materials needed for vaccine research. This may include restrictions due to intellectual property rights, or simply a lack of financial resources to purchase the necessary technologies. International collaborations, while important, can be difficult to establish and maintain, not least because of bureaucratic and logistical barriers.

To overcome these obstacles, an integrated and collaborative approach is essential, involving partnerships between the public and private sectors, increased investment by governments and international donors, and initiatives to strengthen local research and infrastructure capacities. These combined efforts can help reduce inequalities in access to vaccines and improve public health in developing countries.

Focus 2030 : The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), to be officially launched by Gavi on June 20 in Paris, aims to promote and develop vaccine production on the continent, helping to achieve the goal of African countries producing and supplying over 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs by 2040. To date, the African continent has only 13 vaccine producers, able to meet 1% of the continent’s demand. Gavi will also make its financial needs known to the international community in order to accelerate access to vaccination for the greatest number of people and strengthen health systems by 2030. To what extent do you think these initiatives, which complement research, will be able to meet the challenge and contribute to the achievement of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 ?

Yasmine Belkaid : The launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) is an excellent initiative in its own right, and for the complementarity it will create with existing initiatives.

First and foremost, this initiative will help strengthen local production capacity. At present, Africa produces only around 1% of the vaccines it needs, making it extremely dependent on imports. By increasing local production capacity to 60% by 2040, the AVMA will make a significant contribution to the continent’s health security, reducing the time and costs associated with importing vaccines. This increased capacity will make it easier to respond to local health emergencies, such as epidemics, by ensuring rapid and appropriate access to the vaccines needed. Within the Pasteur Network, Institut Pasteur Dakar, Institut Pasteur de Tunis and Institut Pasteur Maroc are already actively contributing to local manufacturing initiatives. Institut Pasteur Dakar and Institut Pasteur Tunis are WHO messenger RNA technology transfer centers.

The AVMA will also help strengthen healthcare systems. Indeed, a robust healthcare system is essential for the efficient distribution of vaccines and to ensure high immunization coverage. The initiative will help to improve healthcare infrastructures, train medical staff and set up efficient, resilient supply chains. Within the Pasteur Network, where these institutes represent major public health players for their countries and regions, strengthening diagnostics is essential.

I also expect a great deal from complementarities with research. Vaccine production initiatives must be closely aligned with research efforts to develop new vaccines. This includes research into diseases prevalent in Africa, for which specific vaccines are needed. By supporting local production, the AVMA can encourage collaboration between researchers and local vaccine producers, accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into context-specific products for populations. The Pasteur Network, a unique network in Africa with 9 members, represents an important force in local research, already committed to this dynamic and ready to collaborate with Gavi on this initiative.

Finally, the AVMA is expected to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Access to affordable and available vaccines is crucial to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), which aims to end infectious disease epidemics by 2030. By improving access to vaccines, these initiatives will help to reduce infant mortality, prevent vaccine-preventable diseases and strengthen the herd immunity of African populations.

In conclusion, the steps taken by the AVMA and the financial needs expressed by Gavi are essential and complementary elements in meeting the challenge of health in Africa. By developing local vaccine production, strengthening health systems and supporting research, these initiatives play a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for health by 2030.

NB : The opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect the ideas of Focus 2030.