Abstract
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) remains a serious international public health threat. With the goal of accelerating the development of countermeasures against MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), funding agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and researchers across the world assembled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 14–15, 2015, to discuss vaccine development challenges. The meeting was spearheaded by the Saudi Ministry of Health and co-organized by the International Vaccine Institute, South Korea. Accelerating the development of a preventive vaccine requires a better understanding of MERS epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis in humans and animals. A combination of rodent and nonhuman primate models should be considered in evaluating and developing preventive and therapeutic vaccine candidates. Dromedary camels should be considered for the development of veterinary vaccines. Several vaccine technology platforms targeting the MERS-CoV spike protein were discussed. Mechanisms to maximize investment, provide robust data, and affect public health are urgently needed.
Highlights
Therapeutic antibodies are recognized as potentially useful tools in MERS prevention and treatment, but the concern around escape mutants with increased fitness, concern is not limited to this technology type, warrants continued investigation and surveillance
An opportunity exists for greater coordination around specific technology platforms and to ensure that appropriate incentives are considered to stimulate research and development collaboration from academia, industry, nongovernmental organizations, and governments
The Saudi Arabia MOH, working with WHO and other stakeholders, has a crucial role to play in defining the public health goals that will guide vaccine development efforts
Summary
4. Attention should be paid to lessons learned from SARS-CoV vaccine development efforts, to signs of potential disease enhancement in various animal models. 5. Therapeutic antibodies are recognized as potentially useful tools in MERS prevention and treatment, but the concern around escape mutants with increased fitness, concern is not limited to this technology type, warrants continued investigation and surveillance. Such an approach could be considered alone or in combination with vaccine approaches.
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