Editorial. Yves Levy, Executive Director

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2 Editorial Yves Levy, Executive Director I am delighted to announce the creation of a new research centre: the Vaccine Research Institute (VRI). The VRI addresses the unprecedented challenge of developing an effective vaccine against two major threats to public health, namely: HIV/AIDS and HCV. The VRI scientific plan originates from the existing ANRS vaccine research programme and will build on its comprehensive network of research teams, clinicians, core facilities and industry partners. My colleagues and I believe that the novel structure of the Vaccine Research Institute will help to accelerate vaccine development by strengthening links between basic, translational research, patient-associations and the socio-economic world. The field of HIV and HCV vaccine research presents many challenges and obstacles, but also hope and opportunities. We are excited that the Vaccine Research Institute will participate in the collective and collaborative international effort to develop safe and effective vaccines.

3 The Vaccine Research Institute (VRI) was established by the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and viral hepatitis (ANRS) and the University of Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) following the award of the status of Laboratory of Excellence by an international scientific jury and announced by the French Prime Minister on 25 March 2011.

4 Mission The mission of the VRI is to conduct research to accelerate the development of effective vaccines against HIV/AIDS and HCV. The scientific goals of the VRI offer significant opportunities for innovation as they intend to: develop and extend the portfolio of HIV/HCV candidate vaccines to be tested in clinical trials improve the technology of immunological testing in vaccine trials strengthen the partnership between immunologists, virologists, cell biologists, molecular biologists, primate model specialists and clinicians create novel partnerships with industry develop a social science programme to analyse the specific issues related to communication of HIV/HCV vaccinology provide strong expertise on regulatory, legal and ethical aspects provide the optimal environment for improved coordination and increased funding. Research The VRI stems from the existing ANRS vaccine research programme and includes research teams, core facilities, a network of clinical centres, and industry and charitable partners. The current ongoing projects include: development of vaccine candidates viral antigen presentation and dendritic cell biology immunogenicity of prime-boost strategies in non-human primate models study of immune correlates of protection phase I and II clinical trials. The VRI will develop an incentive policy for recruiting young high-potential talent, new teams and internationally recognised scientists. An attractive starter package will facilitate the settlement of the most promising teams within the VRI. Teaching The VRI will represent a unique educational opportunity in the field of vaccinology and knowledge sharing. The VRI plans to create a new Masters degree in vaccinology with the objective to train students in immunology, vaccinology and the development of research products while also addressing innovation, identification of market opportunities and business and financial plans related to the development of vaccines. Leadership The VRI is composed of a board of trustees to approve the scientific strategic plan and control its execution. The executive scientific committee is in charge of the scientific plan. The external scientific advisory board provides the VRI with advice and evaluation of the research programme. Future In order to house the increasing number of research teams, a new building will be constructed at the Mondor Hospital site in Créteil, on the outskirts of Paris. The VRI will benefit from a new 5,000m 2 research building, constructed in a public-private partnership. This new facility will accommodate state-of-the-art equipment as well as excellent research teams and industry partners, thereby gathering a critical mass on a common site. The new building will be designed on a modular approach to ensure high interaction between groups and to include laboratory space and seminar rooms. Large equipment will be common and accessible to all; the building will be also designed to allow flexibility to accommodate new equipment and facilities in the future.

5 About the ANRS The ANRS (French National Agency for Research on AIDS and viral hepatitis) is the leading organization for research on the HIV/AIDS and hepatitis epidemics in France, and a leader in the fight against these diseases in developing countries. Created in 1992 by the French government, the ANRS coordinates and funds public research on AIDS and viral hepatitis: vaccine research basic research clinical, therapeutic and epidemiologic research research in public health and the human and social sciences research in developing countries. ANRS provides funding for research projects, scholarships for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and also funds clinical and vaccine trials in France and developing countries. The ANRS is collaborating with the main national and international stakeholders in the fight against AIDS and viral hepatitis: research organizations hospitals and universities pharmaceutical companies private foundations. In those developing countries where it is present, the ANRS works hand in hand with local institutions and includes their researchers in project management. Since its creation, the ANRS has included community representatives in its scientific life and strategic decision-making. During the past 15 years the ANRS has conducted a comprehensive top-down programme dedicated to the development of HIV vaccines. About UPEC With 32,000 students and 12 faculties, the UPEC is the largest multidisciplinary and vocational university within Île-de-France. 13% of our students come from over 118 foreign countries. Founded in 1970, it quickly developed around its 12 faculties and institutes, spread over five towns (mainly Créteil) of Île-de-France region, in the counties of Val-de-Marne and Seine-et-Marne. The university has successfully united a range of disciplines which offer an exceptional program of education (ranging from technology diplomas to doctorates) and houses 31 laboratories covering almost every available field. In 2007, the university took an important further step by becoming a member of the Université Paris-Est Higher Education and Research Cluster, along with Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée University, the ENPC (School of Civil Engineering), the LCPC (Civil Engineering Central Laboratory) and ESIEE-Paris (engineering school). This means that these establishments combine forces mainly in the area of research and doctoral schools.

6 Leadership and organisation HONORARY PRESIDENT Françoise Barré-Sinoussi DONORS COMMITTEE CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER Anna Laura Ross BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Jean-François Delfraissy EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Yves Levy SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE EXTERNAL SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Copyright photos: Institut Pasteur, Conseil général 94 Création: avantgarde T-Cell immunology O. Schwartz DC-based vaccines G. Zurawski K. Palucka B cell immunology and mucosal immunity G. Scarlatti Correlates of protection and preclinical models M. Müller-Trutwin R. Le Grand Clinical Core J-D. Lelièvre HCV Virology and vaccines J-M. Pawlotsky Immunology core C. Lacabaratz Biostatistics and bioinformatics R. Thiébaut To contact the VRI: [email protected] For further information, please visit the ANRS and UPEC websites: Partners of the VRI