From platform-based technologies and rapid-response manufacturing to global collaboration and public trust, vaccine development is entering a new industrial phase. Claudio Panzarella, Commercial & Business Development Director at ReiThera, and Francesca Vidali, Marketing & Communication Specialist, explore how scalable platforms, flexible GMP infrastructure, and stronger international partnerships are redefining preparedness — and why scientific rigor and transparent communication remain as critical as technological innovation itself.
What are the most significant trends shaping vaccine development?
Claudio Panzarella: From my perspective, the most significant trends shaping vaccine development are platform technologies, speed, and manufacturability. Developers are increasingly relying on adaptable platforms, such as viral vectors and mRNA, that can be rapidly reconfigured to respond to emerging pathogens. Speed of development is now a strategic requirement, not just a scientific objective. At the same time, manufacturability has become a key selection criterion. A vaccine must not only demonstrate strong immunogenicity, but also be scalable, stable, and compatible with robust GMP production. Finally, there is growing attention to dose-sparing strategies, thermostability, and global access, ensuring that innovation translates into real-world impact at scale.
What do you see as the main manufacturing challenges facing vaccine developers, and how are companies like ReiThera adapting to them?
Panzarella: One of the main manufacturing challenges vaccine developers face today is scalability without compromising quality. Moving from early clinical batches to large-scale GMP production often exposes bottlenecks in yield, process robustness, and supply chain reliability. Another critical challenge is speed. Outbreak preparedness requires platforms that can be rapidly adapted and transferred to manufacturing, while maintaining regulatory compliance and consistent product quality.
At ReiThera, we address these challenges through platform-based manufacturing approaches; in particular for genetic vaccine based of adenoviral (GRAd platform) and MVA vector, we established in house manufacturing platforms including vector technology, proprietary cell lines, validated processes, validated analytical methodologies able to deliver the GMP lots produced at large scale (200L – 2000L) in only a few months at a strongly reduced cost.
How has the vaccine industry’s response to outbreaks influenced broader approaches to preparedness and rapid manufacturing?
Panzarella: Recent outbreak responses have fundamentally changed expectations around speed and preparedness. Rapid development is no longer exceptional, it is expected. The industry has moved decisively toward platform technologies that allow fast antigen exchange without redesigning the full manufacturing process. This platform approach, combined with early regulatory alignment, significantly shortens the path from sequence identification to clinical-grade material. At the same time, companies have invested in flexible GMP facilities, modular production, and more resilient supply chains to reduce bottlenecks. Preparedness today is built on validated platforms, scalable processes, and manufacturing systems designed to pivot quickly while maintaining quality and compliance.
Which emerging technologies or platforms do you think will have the greatest long-term impact on vaccine R&D and production?
Panzarella: In the long term, the greatest impact will come from adaptable platform technologies that combine rapid development with industrial scalability. mRNA has clearly transformed the field by demonstrating how quickly vaccines can move from sequence to clinic. At the same time, next-generation viral vectors continue to offer strong and durable immune responses, particularly for complex or emerging pathogens. Beyond the delivery platform itself, advances in vector engineering, dose-sparing strategies, and thermostable formulations will significantly improve global accessibility. On the manufacturing side, modular GMP facilities, digitalized process control, and platform-based CMC strategies will further reduce timelines and increase reliability. Ultimately, the technologies that will shape the future are those that integrate scientific innovation with manufacturability, regulatory predictability, and global distribution feasibility.
In what ways is the CDMO sector addressing the supply chain resilience and logistics challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Panzarella: The pandemic revealed significant vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly for raw materials, single-use systems, and fill-finish capacity. In response, CDMOs have strengthened dual-sourcing strategies, secured long-term supplier agreements, and improved inventory planning for critical components. Many have also invested in flexible, multi-product GMP facilities that can be rapidly repurposed when needed. Greater digitalization and improved forecasting tools are further enhancing visibility and responsiveness. At ReiThera, we have taken the same approach by reinforcing supplier diversification, securing strategic raw materials, and leveraging our integrated, in-house manufacturing capabilities to maintain operational continuity and reduce external dependencies. Today, resilience is built on diversification, flexibility, and proactive risk management to ensure continuity even under global pressure.
How might you respond to the ongoing anti-vaccine rhetoric from the policymaker level?
Francesca Vidali: Vaccine development is built on decades of rigorous research, regulatory oversight, and real-world evidence. Yet scientific progress ultimately depends on public trust.
In recent years, we have seen how misinformation, sometimes amplified at policy level, can erode confidence in evidence-based public health decisions. It is essential that discussions around vaccines remain grounded in data and scientific consensus. Education and institutions should support scientific literacy rather than fuel uncertainty.
At the same time, we in the scientific community have a responsibility to communicate more clearly, transparently, and accessibly. This responsibility also extends to those working in science communication: we play a critical role in shaping how research is perceived by society, and only through a strong connection to scientific reality can we ensure that accurate, balanced information reaches the public. Building trust through open dialogue is just as critical as advancing the technology itself.
What opportunities do you see for international collaboration between biotech firms, public institutions, and governments in vaccine development?
Vidali: International collaboration in vaccine development begins with trust. Trust from institutions and governments in scientific research and in the biotech ecosystem is the foundation for any meaningful partnership. When that trust is present, it translates not only into financial investment, but also into strategic attention, regulatory alignment, and long-term policy commitment. Sustainable collaboration requires stable funding frameworks, coordinated preparedness plans, and shared manufacturing capabilities across regions. The greatest opportunity lies in building integrated networks where biotech companies, public institutions, and governments work as complementary actors, combining innovation, infrastructure, and public health strategy. Vaccine development is not only a scientific endeavor: it is a collective responsibility.
In an interconnected world, preparedness cannot be national. It must be collaborative, structured, and built on mutual confidence in science as a common good.
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