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First Human Trial Shows Dual Lassa–Rabies Vaccine Is Safe and Immunogenic

Durable antibody responses over a yearlong follow-up will determine whether the candidate moves on to larger trials.

Overview

  • The interim results, published June 9, 2026, report no serious adverse events in a randomized, controlled first‑in‑human study of 54 healthy adults.
  • Participants received two doses 28 days apart and interim immune data through 61 days showed rapid, strong antibody responses to both Lassa and rabies compared with a rabies‑only control.
  • The vaccine platform uses an inactivated rabies virus displaying Lassa glycoprotein and can be freeze‑dried for storage, a feature meant to ease distribution where cold chains are weak.
  • Investigators will continue follow-up through day 394 and say sustained antibody levels across that period would trigger progression to later‑stage trials.
  • The candidate was developed by a team led by Matthias Schnell and targets two high‑burden threats: Lassa, which causes about 300,000 infections and severe pregnancy deaths in West Africa, and rabies, which kills tens of thousands annually.