Page 182 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

8) Supply and delivery of 12 Analytical Instruments schedule, and a single Cape Town site. Participant
for multiple beneficiaries screening started in December 2025, with enrolment
expected in early 2026.
The outstanding tenders are planned and scheduled
for 2026/27. Monitoring and evaluation of the awards Meanwhile, GIPD supported the development and
(use of the infrastructure and equipment, and their SAHPRA submission of the BRILLIANT-002 protocol,
impact) will take place for 5 years after installation a first-in-human Phase 1 trial assessing an mRNA
and commissioning. prime-boost HIV vaccine regimen developed
in collaboration with the Amsterdam University
Managing Vaccine Clinical Trials Medical Centers, with trial initiation planned for Q4
2026. Samples from both trials will be analysed using
BRILLIANT 011 an advanced B-cell analytics platform established at
The BRILLIANT Consortium, an African-led HIV the Wits Antibody Immunity Research Unit (AIRU),
vaccine research partnership established in 2023 with enhancing South African capacity in a specialised
SAMRC as lead, aimed to develop HIV vaccines from area of HIV vaccine immunological assessment.
Africa, conducting pioneering clinical and discovery
studies. In early 2025, USAID funding withdrawal led to Although the original grant has been terminated,
a strategic redesign, with new funding from the Gates GIPD continues to support BRILLIANT partners
Foundation and SAMRC. Its first trial, BRILLIANT-011, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation and Wits with
was redesigned with a better adjuvant, simplified the management and execution of these trials.

THE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE VACCINE VALUE CHAIN AND THE
BENEFICIARIES SUPPORTED THROUGH THE KFW-DSTI VACCINE
INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME

Supported areas

Vaccine Pilot Research Training Regulation
Production Laboratories

Beneficiaries

Biovac, Wits, NWU,
Afrigen SUN SANCLBP, CSIR
CSIR NICD, UCT, SAMRC, UWC SAHPRA
Wits
CAPRISA

Targeted activities in the vaccine value chain

› Genetic sequencing for › Immunogenicity assessment of › Laboratory training on vaccine
immunogen identification vaccine candidates technology (potentially linked to a
› Immunogen design › Data management for the pilot plant or equivalent facility)
› Development of vaccine above activities › Regulation of clinical trials
platforms/technologies › Pilot-scale manufacture of mRNA- and vaccines (limited to the
› Development of vaccine candidates based vaccines under GMP national regulator)
› Development of vaccine delivery › Pilot-scale manufacture of non- › Other vaccine-related research
mechanisms and carrier molecules mRNA-based vaccines under GMP and/or development activities
› Formulation of vaccines › Quality testing of vaccines
› Preclinical testing of vaccine › Production of reagents for
candidates vaccine manufacture

180 SA M R C A N N U A L R EP O R T 2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6