The challenge 
Africa produces less than 1% of the world’s vaccine supply but battles many infectious diseases. 

The solution 
Imperial-led hub of global collaborators to deliver local manufacturing solutions. 

The impact 
Life-saving rapid response to pathogens and disease and widespread economic benefit. 

 

A collaboration between Imperial researchers and global partners, Chanjo Hub is taking plant-based vaccines into full-scale production in Africa. Part of the UK Vaccines Network, and funded by UK Research and Innovation, Chanjo Hub aims to build a network for rapid response to pathogens and disease.  

Addressing the vaccine supply challenge 

Africa produces less than 1% of the world’s vaccine supply but the continent battles many infectious diseases. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s Partnerships for African Manufacturing Framework for Action calls for 60% of vaccines required for local populations to be manufactured on the continent by 2040. Plant-based vaccines offer a cost-effective solution to this ambitious target, and a successful outcome will futureproof against vaccine shortages and supply chain issues.  

Building on African expertise

Southern Africa already has expertise in plant-based vaccines, but the challenge has been making the leap to clinical trials and large-scale manufacture. Chanjo Hub was set up to address this challenge. Led by Professor Faith Osier, Chair in Malaria Immunology & Vaccinology in the Department of Life Sciences, and Co-Director of the Institute of Infection at Imperial, Chanjo Hub is working with institutions – including University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and biotechnology company Liselo Lab – to create a vaccine manufacturing pipeline.   

Widespread health and economic benefits
Plant-based vaccines are cheaper and quicker to produce than those developed through traditional methods. Researchers make the plants produce virus-like particles, which mimic viruses. The plants are then harvested, juiced, and the particles extracted and purified. The manufacturing process can be localised, will also create jobs and economic growth. However, the benefits of the Chanjo Hub collaboration go far beyond economics. Ultimately, African countries will be less vulnerable to global supply chain shocks and vaccine shortages, while being able to rapidly respond to future pandemics and disease outbreaks.  

The Global Development Hub published a STEM for Development Impact Memo on the work. You can read the memo here.