Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI)

The aim of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI) is to revolutionize and accelerate vaccine development in Denmark by bridging the gap between academic research and industry innovation.

www.nividevelopment.dk

About

Vaccination is one of the most effective tools in the fight against infectious diseases, saving millions of lives every year. However, despite recent advancements in novel vaccine technologies, there remains a critical need for new or improved vaccines for many pathogens. NIVI conducts translational research with an emphasis on better understanding airway immunity and developing new vaccines targeting respiratory-route pathogens that have outbreak potential or that, directly or indirectly, promote the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

NIVI’s research and development activities focus on four key respiratory route pathogens:  tuberculosis, influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Group A Streptococcus. Researchers will work towards new fundamental knowledge on airway immunity, vaccine technologies and novel delivery methods that can be used to develop vaccine candidates against these diseases. The aim is to generate broad, robust and long-lasting immunity in the airways. This is a potentially revolutionary means to block infection and prevent the spread of airborne diseases between people.

 

The Center and the Vaccine Accelerator

NIVI comprises two entities that work closely together. The research arm – NIVI Research Center (NIVI-R)– is funded by an eight-year grant and anchored in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen. NIVI-R conducts the research, discovery and educational aspects of the initiative.

The second entity is NIVI Development (NIVI-D), a limited liability company owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. NIVI-D enables the translational efforts of NIVI-Research by providing industry-level expertise in vaccine development and conducting clinical studies for new vaccine candidates.

 

Facts
Foundation funding:
 DKK 1,8 Billion
(€241 million)

Host institution:
 NIVI-R: University of Copenhagen

Fields of research:
 • Airway Immunity
• Respiratory Pathogens
• Vaccine Platforms
• Airway Delivery
• Vaccine development

Priority pathogens:
 • Tuberculosis
• Influenza
• Group A Streptococcus
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
“Lower respiratory infections remain the world’s most deadly communicable disease and are ranked the fourth leading cause of mortality. At NIVI, I am proud to lead a paradigm shift in the application of an improved understanding of airway immunity to the development of new vaccines.”
Nicholas Jackson, CEO & Executive Director, NIVI, Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity.