IAVI

Affordable, accessible vaccines & antibodies

We are a nonprofit scientific research organization that develops vaccines and antibodies for HIV, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases.

About us

Our approach

We take a full-circle approach to product development, from the grassroots level to the lab to legislative bodies.

Mission

To translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions.

Vision

A world where all people have equitable access to innovative vaccines and therapeutics.

Our health areas

  • HIV
  • Tuberculosis
  • Lassa virus
  • Marburg virus
  • Sudan virus

HIV

The challenge

HIV/AIDS remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases, with 1.3 million people acquiring HIV in 2023. Given the complexities of HIV, traditional approaches to vaccine development have so far failed to result in a vaccine that provides protection against HIV. However, a vaccine is still needed to bring a true end to the HIV pandemic. Source: UNAIDS

Our solution

IAVI scientists and our collaborators are developing next-generation HIV vaccines to address the challenges of HIV vaccine design. Together, we have pioneered promising new vaccination strategies and the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against HIV. IAVI and our partners are developing HIV bnAbs to prevent HIV acquisition while we advance vaccine candidates.

Tuberculosis

The challenge

Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s leading infectious disease killer. In 2023, 10.8 million people fell ill with TB and 1.25 million people died of TB disease. The only available TB vaccine is the century-old Bacille Calmette-Guérin, or BCG. While this vaccine has efficacy in protecting against severe TB disease in infants and young children, it is largely ineffective in adolescents and adults, among whom most transmission and disease occurs. Source: WHO

Our solution

IAVI works across our global hubs with a diverse network of partners to advance the most promising TB vaccine candidates from discovery through clinical trials, and eventually, to post-licensure access. Our work extends to policy and advocacy initiatives that support TB vaccine development and access in regions where new vaccines are needed most.

Lassa virus

The challenge

Lassa virus is an arenavirus that causes Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa that causes significant annual outbreaks of disease. Lassa fever is difficult to diagnose, and surveillance data is limited. Current estimates range from 300,000 to 500,000 cases and 5,000 related deaths each year. No licensed vaccines for Lassa fever exist. Source: WHO

Our solution

IAVI is developing a single-dose vaccine candidate for Lassa that is based on a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector. This technology is similar to that underlying an approved Ebola Zaire virus vaccine. In 2024, IAVI’s Lassa vaccine candidate became the first Lassa vaccine to enter Phase 2 clinical trials, launched in three West African countries. This trial builds on a Phase 1 clinical trial that showed the candidate vaccine was well tolerated and immunogenic over a wide dose range. IAVI also conducts Lassa epidemiological studies, modeling, and community engagement to support future vaccine access.

Marburg virus

The challenge

Marburg virus is a filovirus and the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD), which has a case fatality ratio of up to 88%. Marburg virus has the capacity to cause outbreaks with high fatality rates and is a potential bioterror threat. No vaccines or antiviral treatments are approved for MVD. A Marburg vaccine is urgently needed to respond to future outbreaks. Source: WHO

Our solution

IAVI is developing a vaccine candidate for Marburg that is based on a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector. This technology is similar to that underlying an approved Ebola Zaire virus vaccine, which is now approved by the U.S. FDA and registered for use in several African countries. Preclinical data demonstrates that IAVI’s Marburg vaccine candidate is highly protective in an animal model with one dose.

Sudan virus

The challenge

Sudan virus (SUDV) is a filovirus and causes outbreaks of Ebola disease, most recently in 2022 in Uganda. Case fatality rates of Ebola disease caused by SUDV have varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. The licensed vaccine for Ebola Zaire virus does not provide cross protection against the Sudan strain. A SUDV vaccine is urgently needed to prevent and respond to future outbreaks. Source: WHO

Our solution

IAVI is developing a vaccine candidate for SUDV that is based on a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector similar to the technology underlying an approved Ebola Zaire virus vaccine. During an Ebola outbreak starting in January 2025 in Uganda, the WHO prioritized IAVI’s SUDV vaccine candidate for a ring vaccination trial and delivered the first vaccinations just four days after the outbreak was declared as part of a comprehensive public health response.

Our impact

We conduct preclinical and clinical trials of our own vaccines and antibodies. Our focus is on diseases of global importance for which there is no market and little financial incentive for development. We also collaborate with and support other scientific organizations to conduct their own clinical trials of priority disease prevention and therapeutic interventions.

255 partners from academic, biotech, pharma sectors, civil society, and global health initiatives

53 biologics candidates supported by the IAVI Product Development Center, out of which 25 advanced to clinical trials

70,000 volunteers enrolled in observational epidemiology studies

Our locations

IAVI Africa

  • Cape Town Office, South Africa
  • Nairobi Office, Kenya

IAVI Europe

  • Amsterdam Office, The Netherlands
  • Human Immunology Lab, London, U.K.

IAVI India

  • Gurugram, Haryana Office
  • Antibody Translational Research Program, IAVI-THSTI, Faridabad

IAVI U.S.

  • New York Office
  • Vaccine Design & Development Lab, New York
  • Neutralizing Antibody Center, California

Recent news & media

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Features

Findings from papers in eBioMedicine advance development of IAVI’s single-dose Lassa fever vaccine candidate 

 April 16, 2025
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) associated with a high case fatality rate[1]. The disease is caused by the arenavirus Lassa virus (LASV), a priority pathogen as ranked by organizations such as the World Health Organization, U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Traditionally, estimates have ranged […]
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Features

IAVI at the World Vaccine Congress Washington 2025

 April 16, 2025
On April 21-24, more than 4,500 attendees are expected to gather in Washington, D.C., for the World Vaccine Congress (WVC) 2025. This event presents a much-needed opportunity for experts in vaccine research and development (R&D) to convene, share knowledge, and chart the path forward for preparedness in a dynamic global health landscape. Recent outbreaks of […]
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Meet MTBVAC
Video

Imagine ending the world’s deadliest pandemic

 March 24, 2025
Tuberculosis (TB) caused 1.25 million deaths in 2023 despite existing treatment options. A safe and effective vaccine would be a powerful tool to drive down TB infections, morbidity, and deaths in high-burden countries and communities. Meet MTBVAC, one of the most promising TB vaccine candidates in development today. 
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IAVI Report

A tragic reminder of the power of vaccination

 March 17, 2025
In February, an unvaccinated child in Texas became the first to die of measles in the U.S. in a decade. The country’s most recent outbreak of the vaccine-preventable virus has resulted in more than 250 cases in the state since January. The same day this death was reported, I spoke with Adam Ratner, a pediatric […]
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