🦇 Nipah Virus Vaccine Tracker Dashboard
Tracking Nipah virus (NiV) vaccine development for outbreak preparedness against this emerging zoonotic threat with 40-75% case fatality rate. First identified in Malaysia 1998, Nipah causes severe encephalitis and respiratory disease with no approved treatment or vaccine. Transmitted from fruit bats to humans directly or via pigs, with documented human-to-human transmission. WHO priority pathogen. CEPI-funded vaccine candidates advancing through clinical trials. This tracker monitors outbreak preparedness vaccines for healthcare workers, at-risk populations in endemic regions (Bangladesh, India, Malaysia), and rapid response stockpiles.
⚠️ HIGH PRIORITY EMERGING THREAT:
Nipah virus is a WHO Blueprint priority pathogen with pandemic potential. Case fatality rate 40-75%, no approved vaccine or treatment, documented human-to-human transmission, and spillover events occurring annually in South Asia.
Nipah Vaccines by Development Phase
40-75%
Case Fatality Rate
🧬 Phase 2 Clinical Trial
Technology
ChAdOx1 vector + NiV glycoproteins
Phase 1 Results
Safe, robust antibodies
Target
Healthcare workers, at-risk populations
Details: ChAdOx1 NiV uses the same chimpanzee adenovirus vector platform as Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca). Expresses Nipah virus glycoproteins (G and F) to induce neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses. Phase 1 trial (NCT03985423) in 40 healthy UK volunteers demonstrated excellent safety profile and robust immunogenicity - all participants developed neutralizing antibodies. Single-dose regimen. Phase 2 trials expanding to endemic regions (Bangladesh) to assess immunogenicity in target populations. CEPI funding $25M+ supports development through Phase 2b and manufacturing scale-up. Most advanced Nipah vaccine globally. Advantage: proven ChAdOx platform with rapid manufacturing capability. Could enable pre-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare workers and outbreak response teams. Also being evaluated for post-exposure prophylaxis potential.
Strategy & Timeline: Phase 2 trials ongoing in Bangladesh (endemic region) enrolling healthcare workers and high-risk populations. If successful, Phase 3 efficacy trials could launch 2025-2026, though challenging due to sporadic outbreak pattern. Alternative pathway: WHO Emergency Use Listing based on animal efficacy studies + human immunogenicity (similar to Ebola vaccines). Target: Emergency stockpile for outbreak response + pre-exposure vaccination of healthcare workers in endemic regions. Oxford has manufacturing partnerships to produce millions of doses if needed. Single-dose advantage critical for outbreak settings.
🧪 Phase 1 Clinical Trials
Technology
mRNA-LNP platform
Funding
US Government + BARDA
Preclinical
Complete protection in NHP
Description: mRNA-1215 encodes Nipah virus glycoproteins using Moderna's proven mRNA-LNP technology. Preclinical studies showed complete protection in non-human primates against lethal Nipah challenge. Phase 1 trial launched 2024 assessing safety and immunogenicity in healthy volunteers. Two-dose regimen (0, 28 days). Advantages: rapid manufacturing (weeks vs months), thermostability improvements, dose-sparing potential, proven platform from COVID-19 success. Could enable rapid pandemic response if Nipah gains efficient human-to-human transmission. US government strategic interest for biodefense and outbreak preparedness.
Technology
rVSV vector (licensed Ebola platform)
Preclinical
Protection in African green monkeys
Description: Uses recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector expressing Nipah glycoproteins - same platform as licensed Ebola vaccine Ervebo. Single-dose regimen. Preclinical studies in African green monkeys demonstrated protection against lethal Nipah challenge. Phase 1 safety trials ongoing. Major advantage: proven vector platform with regulatory approval for Ebola, established manufacturing, and known safety profile. CEPI-funded. Partnership with Merck provides manufacturing scale-up capability. Could rapidly deploy if safety/immunogenicity confirmed.
Technology
Humanized mAb cocktail
Use Case
Post-exposure prophylaxis, treatment
Preclinical
100% survival in NHP (post-exposure)
Description: Cocktail of humanized monoclonal antibodies targeting Nipah virus glycoproteins. Preclinical studies showed 100% survival in non-human primates when administered post-exposure. Phase 1 safety trials in healthy volunteers. Intended for post-exposure prophylaxis of healthcare workers and contacts, plus potential therapeutic use in infected patients. Complements vaccine strategies. Could be deployed immediately after outbreak detection. Manufacturing being scaled for emergency stockpile. Similar approach successful for Ebola (mAb cocktails now standard of care).
🔬 Preclinical Development
Description: Self-amplifying RNA encoding Nipah glycoproteins with built-in replicase. Requires 10-100x lower doses than conventional mRNA. Hamster studies demonstrate complete protection with microgram doses. Potential for single-dose, thermostable outbreak response vaccine. Could enable rapid mass vaccination if Nipah outbreak expands.
Description: VLPs displaying Nipah glycoproteins in native conformation. Enhanced immunogenicity from repetitive antigen display. Ferret studies show robust neutralizing antibodies. Stable at 2-8°C. Could enable stockpiling for outbreak response. No live virus components - excellent safety profile.
Platforms: (1) DNA vaccines with electroporation - thermostable, long shelf life; (2) Nanoparticle subunit vaccines - protein antigens on synthetic scaffolds; (3) Paramyxovirus-vectored vaccines - live-attenuated platforms; (4) Pan-henipavirus vaccines - targeting both Nipah and Hendra viruses.