Towards a strategic research agenda for PPPs on the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics

On 20 & 21 October 2016 the first edition of Immunity for Health was organised by Flanders Vaccine in Ghent, Belgium.

The theme of this edition, “Towards a strategic research agenda for PPPs on the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics”, illustrates Flanders Vaccine’s ambition to stimulate innovation in vaccine development by joining forces between academia and industry in strong partnerships.

Examples were provided of existing and successful worldwide consortia : PARAGONE was mentioned twice as such an example, once in the presentation of dr. Rudiger Raue from Zoetis (one of the partners in the consortium) and once by dr. Jean-Charles Cavitte in his presentation on the EU-strategy for stimulation of research in vaccinology.

Flanders Vaccine wants to cross borders between human and animal health and stimulate cross-fertilization between the two sectors. This year this is especially illustrated by the co-organization with PROVAXS, with focus on infectious diseases and immunity in animal health, at the occasion of their 10th anniversary. Flanders Vaccine also wants to stimulate collaborations beyond geographical borders to complement international strengths and excellence in research and industry.

Submitted by:
Dr. ir. Sven Arnouts, RTTP
Business Development Manager
PROVAXS – Ghent University