TRACK A
Clinical Research Preparedness (routine)
Track A of the ARC-WA project is dedicated to establishing a robust foundation for Lassa fever vaccine trials across multiple West African countries.
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Track A
Advancing Lassa fever Vaccine Trials in West Africa
Track A of the ARC-WA project is dedicated to establishing a robust foundation for Lassa fever vaccine trials across multiple West African countries. Recognizing the urgent need for effective vaccines to combat Lassa fever, this track focuses on two phases of vaccine development:​
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Preparing 6 clinical trial sites for a Phase 2b GCP-compliant Lassa fever vaccine trial in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia
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Selecting and preparing 10-15 clinical trial sites for a Phase 3 Lassa fever vaccine trial in Lassa-endemic West African states (Nigeria, Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea)
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Preparing for a Phase 2b Lassa fever Vaccine Trial
In collaboration with our partners, six clinical trial sites are being supported through capacity development activities to be able to support a Good Clinical Practice (GCP)-compliant Phase 2b vaccine trial.​
These six sites include:
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Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, Nigeria
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Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AEFUTHA), Nigeria
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Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, Nigeria
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Irrua Specialist University Hospital (ISTH), Nigeria
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Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone
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Phebe Hospital, Liberia
This preparation involves:
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​Infrastructure development to ensure the sites have appropriate space and equipment, for clinical research.
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Training for local clinical and laboratory teams to ensure adherence to GCP.
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Community engagement and sensitization activities to build trust and awareness around clinical trials.
The six selected sites are located in three Lassa fever-endemic countries: Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, where the disease poses a significant public health threat. By ensuring these sites are ready for Ph2b clinical trials, the project lays the groundwork for future Lassa fever vaccine trials to take place successfully. We are currently aiming to have the sites ready for mid-2025.
Developing Capacity for a Phase 3 Lassa Fever Vaccine Trial
Following the Phase 2b trial, it is anticipated that clinical trial sites will be needed for Phase 3 trials. In advanced preparation for this, 10-15 additional clinical trial sites will be carefully selected, further assessed, and prepared so that they are ready to conduct larger Phase 3 vaccine trials in the future.
This selection of these sites will be from key Lassa fever-endemic West African countries, including:
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Nigeria
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Benin
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Liberia
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Sierra Leone
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Guinea
These activities focus on:
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Identifying sites with high disease prevalence, research potential, and commitment.
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Upgrading infrastructure and equipment to enable clinical trials to be conducted aligned with international best practice.
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Training local research, clinical and laboratory teams so that they possess the expertise to carry out large-scale clinical trials.
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Strengthening laboratory networks for efficient sample collection, analysis, and data management.
By expanding clinical trial capacity across these five countries, it is expected that Track A will establish a sustainable, high-quality research network capable of conducting complex, multi-country vaccine trials. This will not only support the development of a Lassa fever vaccine but also strengthen the region’s overall ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
Impact and Importance of Track A
The work under Track A is a critical step toward reducing the threat of Lassa fever in West Africa and globally. By investing in clinical trial infrastructure, capacity development, and community engagement, the ARC-WA project ensures that clinical trials and clinical research can be conducted in the future. In doing so, we also hope to foster local ownership, strengthen health systems, and pave the way for future research initiatives to protect vulnerable populations across the region.