02.06.2025.
To strengthen Europe’s response to future health emergencies, the European Commission has launched the European Vaccine Hub (EVH) in Siena, Italy. Backed by up to €102 million through the EU’s EU4Health programme, the EVH is a new initiative designed to reduce the time needed to develop vaccines – aiming for a turnaround of less than four months from the moment a new virus is genetically identified.
The purpose of the European Vaccine Hub
The launch of the European Vaccine Hub reflects lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed gaps in Europe’s ability to quickly and collaboratively develop vaccines.
In response, the EU has established a framework that brings together leading research institutions and national health authorities to improve coordination and speed in future pandemic situations. The initiative is intended to reinforce the EU’s capacity to respond more effectively to emerging health threats.
A faster, smarter vaccine pipeline
One of the most ambitious targets of the European Vaccine Hub is to cut vaccine development time to under four months after identifying the genetic sequence of a new virus.
This acceleration will be achieved through the use of prototype vaccines and advanced vaccine platform technologies already in development.
The Hub is built around four core pillars of the vaccine development process:
- Discovery (led by Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena, Italy)
- Preclinical studies (led by Institut Pasteur, France)
- Clinical studies (led by Vaccinopolis, University of Antwerp, Belgium)
- Manufacturing (led by the German Center for Infection Research – DZIF, Germany)
Each pillar is managed by a leading institution in the field, ensuring scientific expertise and access to critical infrastructure.
“The launch of the European Vaccine Hub reflects lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed gaps in Europe’s ability to quickly and collaboratively develop vaccines. In response, the EU has established a framework that brings together leading research institutions and national health authorities to improve coordination and speed in future pandemic situations. The initiative is intended to reinforce the EU’s capacity to respond more effectively to emerging health threats.”
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
What the EVH will do
The EVH is structured to promote a decentralised but highly coordinated approach, enabling partners across Europe to share knowledge, infrastructure, and resources. Key planned actions include:
- Developing a strategic framework for prototype vaccines.
- Conducting preclinical studies, early-stage clinical trials (Phase I/II), and Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) trials.
- Providing access to state-of-the-art production facilities and clinical trial networks.
- Ensuring collaboration between public institutions and private industry.
- Supporting technology transfer and large-scale vaccine production when needed.
While initial funding ensures a strong launch, the hub is also focused on long-term sustainability. The EVH includes a Steering Committee for strategic decisions and a Coordination Team to manage day-to-day operations. It also involves a broad network of stakeholders and an External Advisory Committee.
The consortium currently includes 11 primary organisations and 13 affiliated entities across seven EU countries. These partners are not only scientific leaders but are also directly involved in their nations’ pandemic preparedness strategies.
By coordinating national and EU-level investments in vaccine R&D, the EVH will help the EU move from a reactive to a proactive pandemic response.
It will also align with global efforts to streamline pandemic-vaccine development, ensuring Europe contributes effectively to worldwide health security.
