About The
ReVAMPP Network

Network Overview

The need for this initiative is underscored by recent outbreaks of diseases like SARS, H1N1, MERS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19, which highlight the persistent risk of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The Network consists of specialized Research Centers focusing on nine virus families (Flaviviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae, Togaviridae, Arenaviridae, Hantaviridae, Nairoviridae, Phenuiviridae, and Peribunyaviridae) and a central Coordination and Data Sharing Center. ReVAMPP Centers conduct their own research but are expected to collaborate and share information within the Network. In the event of an outbreak, the Network's combined expertise and resources will be used to coordinate a research response.

ReVAMPP Network Priorities

ReVAMPP targets research and development efforts on pathogens that pose significant public health risks, including emerging and re-emerging diseases. This includes viruses with the potential to cause severe outbreaks or pandemics.
There is a need to accelerate the development of effective vaccines for diseases that lack adequate preventative measures. ReVAMPP performs research into new vaccine platforms and technologies.
ReVAMPP addresses gaps in understanding how pathogens cause disease, including their mechanisms of infection, immune evasion, and pathogenesis. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective vaccines and treatments. By focusing on pathogens with limited current countermeasures, ReVAMPP aims to advance the development of vaccines and therapeutics where there are significant needs. 
ReVAMPP is funded to support the development of tools and strategies to improve preparedness for outbreaks of high-priority pathogens. This includes enhancing surveillance systems, diagnostics, and emergency response capabilities. ReVAMPP contributes to global health security by improving readiness to respond to infectious disease threats that can have international implications.
The program encourages collaboration between researchers, public health officials, and pharmaceutical companies. This interdisciplinary approach helps to efficiently address complex challenges associated with infectious diseases. ReVAMPP involves international partnerships to ensure a broad and coordinated response to global health threats. 
ReVAMPP centers perform innovative research into the development of cutting-edge technologies in vaccine and antiviral medicines. This includes exploring new vaccine platforms, drug delivery systems, and therapeutic strategies. 
ReVAMPP is designed to be responsive to new and emerging pathogens that may pose future threats. This includes pathogens that could arise or evolve and impact global health. 

Leveraging the Prototype Pathogen Approach

The goal of the prototype pathogen approach is to develop generalizable medical countermeasure (MCM) strategies that can be applied to other viruses in the same virus family. This enables rapid development of MCMs and shortens timelines between pathogen outbreak and regulatory authorization of MCMs if a virus with similar properties emerges.

Key Elements of the ReVAMPP Platform Approach

There are currently no vaccines or targeted therapeutics for many diseases caused by the nine selected virus families of concern. By leveraging a platform technology approach, the ReVAMPP Network lays the groundwork for rapid development, testing, and deployment of medical countermeasures (MCM).

Plug-and-Play platforms like mRNA technology or monoclonal antibody production can be adjusted for different diseases, allowing for quicker adaptation in the event of new viral outbreaks. 
Platforms are designed to pivot quickly when a new pathogen emerges, reducing the time needed to develop new MCMs, such as vaccines and therapeutics. This was a significant factor in the fast development of COVID-19 vaccines. 
Investing in multiple MCM candidates across various platforms helps reduce the risk of failure, ensuring that if one approach does not succeed, others can fill the gap. 
Platform technologies need to be developed to provide broader and longer-lasting protection, given the challenges posed by evolving viral strains, like with SARS-CoV-2.
The ability to leverage partnerships and scale up production quickly is integral to the platform approach, as seen with the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines through partnerships like Operation Warp Speed. 

Centralized Coordination and Data Sharing

RTI International leads the Coordination and Data Sharing Center (CDSC) to provide governance, oversight, communications support and coordination for the network. The CDSC’s goal is to promote Network collaboration and sharing to accelerate discovery and dissemination of novel vaccine solutions and antibody development strategies to proactively prepare to combat future viral outbreaks.

The CDSC Team

Greg Sempowski

Greg Sempowski, PhD

RTI International,
Principal Investigator (Contact)
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Sean Hanlon

Sean Hanlon, PhD

RTI International,
Principal Investigator
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Gretchen Van Vliet

Gretchen Van Vliet, MPH

RTI International,
Project Director, Co-Investigator
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Kira Bradford

Kira Bradford, PhD

RTI International,
Data Stewardship Lead, Co-Investigator
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Amelia Karlsson, PhD

RTI International,
Animal Models Lead, Co-Investigator