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TRANSVAC represents a long-running effort to accelerate the development of novel vaccines by integrating institutions from across Europe under a single collaborative framework. This initiative has empowered the global vaccine community since 2009 including contributing toward the development and optimization of vaccine candidates as well as the provision of new adjuvants, research protocols, and technologies. Scientific services were provided in support of 88 different vaccine development projects, and 400 professionals attended TRANSVAC training events on various vaccine-related topics. Here, we review the accomplishments of the TRANSVAC consortia and analyze the continued needs of academic and industrial vaccine developers in Europe. The findings highlight the benefits of coordination across different sectors, both through research infrastructures such as TRANSVAC and other mechanisms, to address the current and future global health challenges and ensure that European vaccine developers have the support required to successfully compete in the global market.

Background: Novel vaccines targeting the world’s deadliest pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are urgently needed as the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine in its current use is limited. HLA-E is a virtually monomorphic unconventional antigen presentation molecule, and HLA-E-restricted Mtb-specific CD8+ T cells can control intracellular Mtb growth, making HLA-E a promising vaccine target for Mtb. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the frequency and phenotype of HLA-E-restricted Mtb-specific CD4+/CD8+ T cells in the circulation and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of two independent non-human primate (NHP) studies and from humans receiving BCG either intradermally or mucosally. Results: BCG vaccination followed by Mtb challenge in NHPs did not affect the frequency of circulating and local HLA-E–Mtb CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and we saw the same in humans receiving BCG. HLA-E–Mtb T cell frequencies were significantly increased after Mtb challenge in unvaccinated NHPs, which was correlated with higher TB pathology. Conclusions: Together, HLA-E–Mtb-restricted T cells are minimally induced by BCG in humans and rhesus macaques (RMs) but can be elicited after Mtb infection in unvaccinated RMs. These results give new insights into targeting HLA-E as a potential immune mechanism against TB.

Despite the possibilities of routine clinical measures and assays on readily accessible bio-samples, it is not always essential in animals to investigate the dynamics of disease longitudinally. In this regard, minimally invasive imaging methods provide powerful tools in preclinical research. They can contribute to the ethical principle of gathering as much relevant information per animal as possible. Besides, with an obvious parallel to clinical diagnostic practice, such imaging platforms are potent and valuable instruments leading to a more refined use of animals from a welfare perspective. Non-human primates comprise highly relevant species for preclinical research to enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and/or the development of improved prophylactic or therapeutic regimen for various human diseases. In this paper, we describe parameters that critically affect the quality of integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET–CT) in non-human primates. Lessons learned are exemplified by results from imaging experimental infectious respiratory disease in macaques; specifically tuberculosis, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. We focus on the thorax and use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose as a PET tracer. Recommendations are provided to guide various stages of PET–CT-supported research in non-human primates, from animal selection, scan preparation, and operation, to processing and analysis of imaging data.