STIFTUNG TIERAERZTLICHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER

Their core work

The University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) is one of Germany's leading veterinary research universities, with deep expertise in infectious disease biology, vaccine development, and animal health. Their H2020 portfolio reveals strong capabilities in virology — particularly influenza, coronaviruses, and emerging pathogens — alongside veterinary genomics, neuroscience, and pharmacology. They contribute preclinical models, animal infection studies, and translational research that bridges veterinary and human medicine, making them a key partner for One Health initiatives across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2014–2018), TiHo's work was diverse: science education via marine mammals, foodborne outbreak detection (COMPARE), carbohydrate immunology (IMMUNOSHAPE), pig pathogen genomics (PIGSs), and bovine breeding genetics. From 2019 onward, there is a sharp pivot toward human-relevant vaccine research and virology — they coordinated two major vaccine projects (ISOLDA, ENDFLU), joined COVID-19 rapid-response consortia (MANCO, CARE), and engaged in accelerating vaccine manufacturing (Inno4Vac). The veterinary school has clearly expanded its mission from animal-focused research into translational human health, riding the One Health wave that the pandemic accelerated.

TiHo is rapidly building a leadership position in translational vaccine research, particularly for influenza and emerging pathogens, making them an increasingly attractive partner for human health consortia that need preclinical and animal model expertise.

How they like to work

TiHo predominantly joins as a specialist partner (12 of 14 projects), but their two coordinated projects — ISOLDA and ENDFLU — are both large-scale vaccine initiatives, signaling growing ambition to lead in their core strength area. With 236 unique consortium partners across 33 countries, they operate in large, internationally diverse consortia rather than small focused teams. This makes them an experienced, well-networked collaborator who knows how to deliver within complex multi-partner projects.

TiHo has worked with 236 unique partners across 33 countries, giving them one of the broadest collaboration networks for a veterinary institution in Europe. Their partnerships span from public health agencies and pharma companies to agricultural research institutes, reflecting their cross-disciplinary reach.

What sets them apart

TiHo sits at a rare intersection: a veterinary university with serious credentials in human vaccine development and virology. This One Health positioning — animal models, zoonotic disease expertise, and translational immunology under one roof — is difficult to replicate. For consortium builders, they offer preclinical vaccine testing infrastructure combined with deep understanding of animal-to-human pathogen transmission, a combination that became critically valued after COVID-19.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ENDFLU
  Their largest project (EUR 1.74M) as coordinator, developing next-generation influenza vaccines through to Phase 1 clinical trial — shows they can lead ambitious translational work.
• ISOLDA
  Second coordinated project (EUR 1.6M) addressing vaccination strategies for ageing populations, covering multiple viruses (influenza, TBEV, MERS-CoV, yellow fever) in one programme.
• CARE
  Part of the rapid COVID-19 response consortium (Corona Accelerated R&D in Europe), demonstrating ability to mobilize quickly for pandemic research.