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PRESS RELEASE
8 October 2024
Press Release
Media Contacts:
IB Communications
ReiThera supported the Sabin Vaccine Institute and global health efforts by manufacturing and shipping Marburg vaccine doses to Rwanda in collaboration with the Sabin Vaccine Institute
The Sabin Vaccine Institute has provided its investigational Marburg vaccine to Rwanda to support the ongoing outbreak response.
The initial shipment of approximately 700 vaccine doses will be used in a trial targeting frontline workers, including healthcare professionals who have been hardest hit by the deadly virus.
ReiThera manufactured and shipped Marburg vaccine doses to Rwanda for a clinical trial targeting healthcare workers
Rome, October 8, 2024 - ReiThera is proud to announce its key role in the fight against the Marburg virus by successfully manufacturing and shipping vaccine doses to Rwanda. In partnership with the Sabin Vaccine Institute, we have provided approximately 700 investigational vaccine doses that will be used in a clinical trial targeting frontline workers, including healthcare professionals most affected by the outbreak.
This shipment marks a crucial milestone in addressing the ongoing health crisis, with Sabin entering into a clinical trial agreement with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, the trial’s sponsor. The Phase 2 rapid response open-label study will administer the vaccine to around 700 high-risk adults across six clinical trial sites in Rwanda, beginning with healthcare providers.
ReiThera is honored to have produced the drug substance and completed the fill-and-finish process, ensuring the safe delivery of these life-saving doses. The collaboration with Sabin is central to the development and distribution of this promising single-dose vaccine, which is based on the cAd3 platform, and has been shown to be safe and evoke rapid, robust immune responses in Phase 1 trials. With no licensed vaccines currently available for Marburg, this joint effort is a critical component in Rwanda’s outbreak response efforts.
“We were able to ship Marburg vaccine doses within 7 days of being contacted by the Rwanda government for assistance. Working alongside our partners, we moved with lightning speed to prepare shipments, finalize protocols, and secure the necessary regulatory and legal approvals,” says Sabin Chief Executive Officer Amy Finan. “This swift emergency response demonstrates that a dedicated, collaborative group of individuals and organizations can achieve remarkable results when united by a common cause: to contain a lethal disease outbreak and prevent further loss of life.”
As Rwanda continues to combat this deadly virus, we are committed to providing continued support in partnership with Sabin and public health authorities. Together, we aim to make a significant impact on the global response to Marburg and protect those on the frontlines of the fight.
“At ReiThera, we believe in the transformative power of global collaboration to advance science and create lasting impact,” says ReiThera CEO Stefano Colloca. “Our partnership with Sabin highlights our shared commitment to developing a life-saving vaccine against Marburg disease with a mutual goal: to save lives and ensure that even the most vulnerable communities around the world have access to vital and equitable protection.”
About ReiThera Srl
ReiThera Srl is a CDMO company dedicated to technology and process development and GMP manufacturing, providing support for the clinical translation of genetic vaccines and medicinal products for advanced therapies. The company has extensive expertise in developing scalable processes for viral-vector manufacturing and a consolidated experience in GMP production of Adeno-Associated Vector (AAV), Lentivirus, Adeno Viral vector (AdV), Modified Vaccinia Ankara and Herpes Simplex Vector.ReiThera's core manufacturing capacity is based in a state-of-the-art facility, which includes stirred-tank bioreactors at scales of 50L, 200L, 1000L, and 2000L, as well as fixed-bed bioreactors for cell growth in adherence. The GMP facility also comprises a filling suite and quality control laboratories.ReiThera's headquarters, R&D laboratories, and GMP facilities are located in Rome, Italy. For more information, visit www.reithera.com
About Sabin Vaccine Institute
The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a non-profit with three decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit www.sabin.org and follow us on X, @SabinVaccine.