In January, the consortium of e-FabRIC convened in Antwerp to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. The meeting provided an opportunity for partners to identify,address challenges, and align on key objectives for the successful implementation of the project.
Summary of Discussions
Project Objectives and Ambition
The consortium has worked collaboratively to align the development stages with the overall ambition of the project, emphasizing the innovative nature of the product and its relevance to pandemic preparedness. The development strategy is designed to be both forward-looking and robust, with particular attention given to anticipating scientific, technical, and regulatory challenges—especially in a field where the regulatory pathway remains largely undefined. By coordinating efforts and aligning on key milestones, the consortium aims to ensure a comprehensive and effective development process.
e-FabRIC Consortium Update
- Antigen Production and Antibody Development Milestone
The e-FabRIC consortium has successfully achieved a significant milestone with the production of the mosaic-8b nanoparticle antigen. This antigen was used to initiate hyperimmunization in horses, launching the process of polyclonal antibody production.
- Antibody Production
Horses were immunized with the mosaic-8b antigen formulated with selected adjuvants. Plasma collection and the first pilot batches of immunoglobulins have been completed. Preliminary quality control (QC) activities are underway. A technical review of the immunization, plasma collection, and QC steps was presented and jointly analyzed by consortium members.
- Next Experimental Phases
The consortium aligned on the design and implementation of the next in vitro and in vivo studies. These include serum neutralization assays, animal challenge studies, and the selection of relevant virus strains and variants to assess the broad-spectrum efficacy of the antibody product.
- Analytical Tools Development
Strategies for developing innovative analytical tools were reviewed and refined. These tools are intended to support quality control and batch release, and are being developed in alignment with EU 3R principles. Emphasis was placed on ensuring their relevance to the evaluation of a broad-spectrum polyclonal antibody product.
Impact and Dissemination
During the General Assembly in Antwerp, consortium partners emphasized that the dissemination of the project results will be vital for the success of the project. In this context, the consortium discussed the organisation of several events throughout the duration of the project to engage with the EU scientific community and present to key stakeholders the evolution of project results. These events will also provide the opportunity for researchers to discuss the best approaches to improving the research environment in the EU and to collaborate with EU regulatory bodies on the best regulatory paths for novel therapeutic products such as e-FabRIC’s polyclonal antibody.
Collaboration and Partnerships
During the meeting, consortium partners underscored the importance of building strong collaborations with other ongoing EU-funded projects—particularly to enhance the dissemination and visibility of project outcomes. They emphasized that effective dissemination is not only essential for raising awareness but also plays a key role in the successful exploitation and long-term impact of the project’s results. As a result, the consortium agreed to proactively identify sister projects funded under the Horizon Europe programme and explore opportunities for joint activities and events, aimed at highlighting the EU research community’s critical role in preparing for future pandemics.
Following these discussions, consortium partners committed to maintaining close collaboration and regular contact ahead of the next General Assembly of the e-FabRIC project, schedule to take place in Madrid in early 2026.
