Advancing Academic Vaccine Innovation into Global Access

Moving infectious disease programs from promising laboratory discoveries to scalable interventions requires bridging the gap between academic research and commercial manufacturing. In this episode of Outsourcing Against the Outbreak, Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, Co-Director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development at Baylor College of Medicine, explores how academic teams can navigate this journey successfully. The discussion dives into the product development partnership (PDP) framework, recent clinical progress on the Center's human hookworm vaccine candidate, and the technology transfer process behind open-access COVID-19 vaccines like Corbevax and Indovac. Dr. Bottazzi shares practical lessons on establishing internal quality systems, designing manufacturability into candidates from day one, and building collaborative relationships with external manufacturing partners to ensure affordable global supply.