Improved definition of trial endpoints for POI and POD trial designs and harmonisation across efficacy trials to allow direct comparison between vaccine candidates |
Recognition of continuous spectrum of M. tuberculosis infection/disease including incipient/subclinical disease should replace simplistic categorisation into LTBI and clinical disease |
Head-to-head testing of vaccine candidates in murine and NHP models in independent laboratories |
Requires coordination and funding |
Identification of biomarkers for use in vaccine trials |
Must be quantifiable, and include exploration of new platform technologies including single cell analyses |
Better definition of protective immunity within the lung |
Most human immunology performed on peripheral blood |
Evaluate BCG replacement vaccine candidates for induction of non-specific protection against non-mycobacterial infections that is at least equivalent to BCG |
Non-specific protection or innate training should be at least equivalent to that given by BCG |
Acceleration of vaccine trials |
Requires funding for trials and site infrastructure |
Source more financial support for both laboratory-based research and for clinical trials |
Should provide funding for at least 5 years; coordination mechanisms required |