Vaccines as Global Health Security Infrastructure: Insights from Industry Clinical Vaccine Pipelines

Background/Objectives: Vaccine development pipelines are forward-looking indicators of public health preparedness, reflecting the capacity to address unmet medical needs and emerging threats. This analysis aims to characterise the 2025 clinical-stage pipeline of infectious disease vaccines and prophylactic monoclonal antibodies developed by Vaccines Europe member companies and to assess how it aligns with evolving public health priorities. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted using publicly available data compiled in the Vaccines Europe Pipeline Review 2025, with validation by participating companies. Candidates in clinical development or regulatory review were classified using a standardised framework by pathogen, target population, public health priority, and technology platform. Results: The pipeline comprises 91 candidates across clinical development phases predominantly targeting respiratory pathogens (75%), with a strong life-course focus (85% evaluated in adults and/or older adults), and sustained activity in bacterial pathogens relevant to antimicrobial resistance. Notably, 41% of candidates address diseases for which there is no immunisation solution available. The pipeline shows high technological diversity (12 technologies), dominated by RNA approaches and multivalent candidates, with growing focus on climate-sensitive, zoonotic, and pandemic-prone pathogens. Conclusions: This analysis reflects a shift toward broader, prevention-oriented, platform-based innovation for long-term preparedness. As a structured and recurring assessment, the Vaccines Europe Pipeline Review supports horizon scanning and evidence-based dialogue between industry and vaccine ecosystem stakeholders. Translating this innovation into public health impact requires predictable investment, streamlined trial and regulatory pathways, strong surveillance and real-world data systems, coordinated decision-making to enable timely and equitable access, and complementary incentive and procurement reforms.