Winning a Race Against Evolving Pathogens with Novel Platforms and Universal Vaccines

Abstract Many important human pathogens continue to undergo genetic evolution and exist from a vaccine developer’s perspective as phylogenetically related clusters of variable and conserved antigens. Increasing the breadth of protection of existing vaccines through the use of novel adjuvants and exploring conserved antigens for the design of novel vaccines are important strategies to conquer the problem of pathogen variability. This chapter showcases these approaches using as examples novel vaccination approaches for three important viral diseases (i.e., HIV, dengue, influenza) for one bacterial pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae , and gives an overview of novel adjuvants. Although each of the covered diseases poses very specific challenges, a common theme is the need for a better understanding of the immune correlates in humans as a prerequisite for successful development of “universal” vaccines.