Inhaled RNA vaccines against tuberculosis (VIRTB)

Tuberculosis is the infectious disease that causes the most deaths per year worldwide (1.6 million in 2021). The only vaccine currently available has very low efficacy against the most infectious form of the disease, pulmonary tuberculosis. The project “RNA inhaled vaccines against Tuberculosis” arose from the need to address this global public health challenge. This pioneering project, led by Certest Biotec in collaboration with the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), aims to develop a new inhaled RNA vaccine against tuberculosis as a booster for current and future vaccines against the disease.

The expected outcome of this initiative will be the first inhaled mRNA vaccine to solve the problem associated with transport and conservation at room temperature. Additionally, it will allow for pulmonary delivery and boost the immune action in the target organ of the infection.

The success of this collaborative R&D project could have a major impact on the health and welfare of society at a global level, saving millions of lives thanks to the universalization of a stable, cost-effective vaccine against the world's deadliest infectious disease.

This project was selected for funding in the framework of collaborative “R&D Projects for Personalized Medicine and Advanced Therapies” as part of the joint action by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and the Carlos III Health Institute (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) in 2022.