SCLAVO VACCINES ASSOCIATION

Their core work

Sclavo Vaccines Association is a Siena-based research organization specializing in vaccine development, from preclinical systems analysis to Phase 1 clinical trials. They conduct immunogenicity studies and systems vaccinology research, with particular strength in Ebola vaccines and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella vaccines. They also contribute to European vaccine R&D infrastructure design and participate in efforts to modernize vaccine manufacturing through AI and human infection models.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SVA's early H2020 work (2015-2017) was heavily focused on Ebola vaccine clinical analysis, using systems vaccinology and transcriptomics to characterize immune responses — reflecting the urgency of the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak. From 2019 onward, their focus broadened significantly: they moved into neglected tropical disease vaccines (invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella), intracellular pathogen immunity, and next-generation vaccine manufacturing involving AI and controlled human infection models. The trajectory shows a clear shift from crisis-response vaccine analysis toward building long-term vaccine development capabilities across multiple disease targets.

SVA is moving from single-pathogen immunology studies toward platform-level vaccine technology, including AI-assisted development and advanced manufacturing — positioning them as a versatile vaccine research partner for future projects.

How they like to work

SVA operates as both a project leader and a contributing partner, with an even 3-3 split between coordinator and participant roles. Their 91 unique consortium partners across 21 countries indicate they are well-networked and comfortable in large European consortia (notably the TRANSVAC and Inno4Vac networks). They are not a closed-circle organization — their diverse partner base suggests openness to new collaborations, though their Siena base and vaccine focus give them a clear identity within these networks.

SVA has collaborated with 91 distinct partners across 21 countries, reflecting a wide European network built through both their own coordinated projects and participation in large infrastructure initiatives like TRANSVAC. Their network spans academic, industrial, and public health organizations active in vaccinology.

What sets them apart

SVA combines the ability to coordinate vaccine clinical trials (as demonstrated with Ebola and Salmonella vaccines) with deep systems biology expertise — a rare combination for an association-type research entity. Based in Siena, historically one of Italy's vaccine development hubs, they bridge the gap between academic immunology research and clinical-stage vaccine advancement. Their involvement in both infrastructure design (TRANSVAC) and active vaccine development makes them valuable as both a knowledge partner and a trial-capable organization.

Highlights from their portfolio

• VSV-EBOPLUS
  Their largest funded project (EUR 1.5M), coordinating systems-level analysis of Ebola vaccine responses in both adults and children — a critical contribution during the post-Ebola-crisis period.
• Vacc-iNTS
  Coordinating a GMMA-based vaccine through Phase 1 trials for invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella, a major neglected disease in sub-Saharan Africa — demonstrating clinical trial leadership beyond their Ebola work.
• Inno4Vac
  Their most recent and forward-looking project (2021-2027), integrating AI, controlled human infection models, and advanced manufacturing into vaccine development — signaling their future direction.