Clinical and regulatory development strategies for GBS vaccines intended for maternal immunisation in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of infant mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Several maternal GBS vaccine candidates, aimed at protecting infants, are progressing through clinical trials. The World Health Organisation (WHO) aims to ensure equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable vaccines of assured quality in LMICs, by facilitating regulatory pathways. An alternate approval pathway, based on safety and an immunological endpoint thought to predict clinical benefit (commonly referred to as serological threshold of risk reduction [SToRR]), is being considered for GBS maternal vaccines. Since this approach is new to many LMICs regulators and policymakers, WHO organized consultative meetings at national, regional, and global levels to discuss the feasibility and potential challenges of approving a GBS vaccine based on safety and immunogenicity data alone. These consultations focused on evidence supporting SToRR, their use as endpoints to infer protection, and post-licensure requirements. The aim of the consultations was to reduce the delay between vaccine development, licensure, policy recommendations and use in high-burden LMICs.

Keywords: Group B Streptococcus; Maternal; Neonate; Policy; Regulatory pathways; Serocorrelates of protection; Serological thresholds of risk reduction; Vaccine.