Α collaborative effort with global impact
Τhe Pontifical Catholic University of Chile was the scene of a historic event, at the 15th of January 2025: the official launch ceremony of phase II of the clinical study of the Chilean vaccine against human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which will be conducted in Greece.
In his opening remarks, the rector of the Catholic University, Ignacio Sánchez, stressed the relevance of the event for the institution and for the country. “This milestone reflects our university’s commitment to academic and scientific excellence, making innovative solutions available to humanity to face the great challenges of public health,” he said.
From the Hellenic Pasteur Institute in Greece, Dr Ioannis Rabias, Head of the Quality Control Department, said: “We are proud to be part of this project, which reinforces the importance of quality and rigor at every stage of scientific development.”
Dr Alexis Kalergis, UC Professor, Director of the Millennium Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy and principal investigator of the study, emphasized: “The beginning of this stage reinforces our commitment to science as a driver of social and scientific change. This progress is the fruit of years of collaborative work that receives international recognition for the quality of the work carried out and is supported by dozens of scientific articles in high-impact journals.”
The Greek ambassador to Chile, Nikolaos Piperigkos, highlighted the spirit of international cooperation that characterizes the project: “This collaboration demonstrates how science can unite nations in the pursuit of common goals for global well-being.”
Juan Pino, Chilean ambassador to Greece, highlighted the diplomatic and scientific dimension of the event. “The launch of this stage in Greece is an example of the impact that strategic alliances between Chile and Europe have on science and technology”.
The launch of this new stage, which was recently approved by a European regulatory agency linked to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), highlights the joint effort between Chile and Europe / Greece. This study, focusing on adults over 60 years of age, a group particularly vulnerable to RSV, marks a significant advance in the search for effective solutions to global health challenges. In addition to the keynote speakers, the event was attended by other national and international authorities, prestigious academics, representatives of government agencies and strategic partners. Notable attendees included Dr. Enrique Paris, president of the Institute of Public Health Policies and former Minister of Health of Chile; Dr. Sergio Lavandero, president of the Chilean Academy of Sciences; and Ms. Alejandra Pizarro, director of the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development.
https://www.uc.cl/unidades-academicas/instituto-milenio-de-inmunologia-e-inmunoterapia/
