Introduction:
Computer modeling techniques that have been used to accelerate the production of COVID-19 vaccines could be beneficial for the wider vaccine sector if harmonized guidelines are developed by international regulators. Traditional methods of bringing a vaccine to market are time-consuming, with years of preclinical testing and clinical trials required. However, computer modeling has the potential to significantly speed up the process of vaccine development.
- The three COVID-19 vaccine approvals within a year of the pandemic’s start highlight the accelerating role of technology in vaccine development.
- Computer modeling offers opportunities to enhance vaccine production by addressing the multiscale and multidisciplinary nature of underlying mechanisms.
- Model-based approaches can reduce the cost and time in the development stage and facilitate scaling-up and transfer of bioprocesses to other manufacturing sites.
- The Inno4Vac project, a public-private partnership, demonstrates the potential benefits of model-based process development for tackling scientific bottlenecks in vaccine development.
- To fully benefit from model-based approaches, alignment on how such technologies should be used is necessary, requiring the development of novel guidelines and internationally harmonized protocols.
Conclusion:
The use of computer modeling in vaccine development has shown promising results, particularly in the case of COVID-19 vaccines. By addressing scientific bottlenecks and streamlining the development process, model-based approaches can significantly reduce the time and cost required to bring a vaccine to market. However, to fully leverage the potential of these approaches, it is important for international regulators to develop harmonized guidelines to ensure regulatory acceptance and facilitate the integration of modeling technologies into manufacturing processes.
