Introduction: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) pandemic potential is a critical issue. Outbreaks of H5N1 Avian Flu, causing mass die-offs in poultry and other birds, are now affecting mammals from otters to dolphins worldwide. H5N1 and other HPAI viruses have so far caused rare human infections. However, if they evolve to spread between people, they could trigger major outbreaks. The main question is: how to overcome bottlenecks in HPAI vaccine development to accelerate scale-up and implement an effective global Vaccine Preparedness System? Methods: From a patent landscape approach, we identified breakthroughs and gaps in HPAI vaccine development for the search period (2010-2021), discussing technological strategies in patent filings, including universal vaccine patent documents. Results: Very few patent documents for human HPAI vaccines were retrieved: from 49 deposits in the search period, only 18 were in active status (37%), with few breakthroughs and in early stages of development. These results indicate a technological lag in HPAI vaccine development and highlight the constraints for scaling-up these vaccines when they will be needed. Current egg-based processes are laborious and too difficult to scale-up in the case of a pandemic. Concerning mRNA technology, there are still issues on the duration and level of protection mRNA vaccines might induce. Vaccinating farm animals is not sufficient to protect the population: if not properly executed, the virus could continue to circulate at a low level, increasing the chance of mutations and adaptation to humans. Universal Influenza vaccines would be key, but we identified only few (20 in the search period) patents for these vaccines, still in early stages of development. In addition, it is the impact immunological memory would have on the development of protective immunity to a broad-spectrum of viruses, due to original antigenic sin mechanism. Discussion: This study identified critical barriers to overcome in HPAI vaccine development, improving efficacy and reducing costs. It highlights the urgent need for an effective global Vaccine Preparedness model, supported by Genomic, Antigenic and Epidemiological Surveillance, an Innovation Fund and Public-Private Partnerships. We strongly support WHO in coordinating a Global Initiative for Influenza Pandemic Preparedness.

Introduction:Vaccines for emerging arboviral diseases that should be a global priority, in a combined strategy with vector control, are being neglected, affecting particularly the poorest populations worldwide. The object of our investigation is to identify the breakthroughs in vaccine innovation for four leading emerging neglected arboviral diseases (Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Yellow Fever). From this perspective we examine vaccine patent document applicants by stage of technological development of different vaccine platforms, including the different partnerships established by these applicants. Methods: From a patent landscape approach, we defined methodological strategies for a hybrid search in two different databases (Derwent Innovation Index and Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence) that allowed us to identify the stages of technological development of the vaccines to prevent/treat these four arboviral diseases, making it possible to identify the successful ones that go to clinical trials and the partnerships among private and public institutions, which promote continuity of the development/production process. Results: Our results confirm these gaps for Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika and Yellow Fever vaccines, with only 13% of these vaccines still under active development and prospect to reach the final stages of development. They also indicate that, in spite of this constraint, innovative platforms such as RNA-based vaccines are increasingly being used to prevent/ treat these diseases. Conclusion: We propose urgently strengthening funding and incentive mechanisms in a Global Strategic Plan supported by new business models and community participation to accelerate vaccine development for these four neglected arboviral diseases, a dramatic and concerning global issue in post-COVID-19 era.