Vaccinopolis

What Vaccinopolis does

Vaccinopolis is a clinical research facility operated by the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV) at the University of Antwerp and located in Edegem, Belgium. It conducts Phase I–IV vaccine clinical trials, controlled human infection (challenge) studies, and vaccine-related policy research, serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology developers, public-health authorities, and supranational organizations including the World Health Organization (CEV has been a WHO Collaborating Centre since 1996). The site integrates an ambulatory trial unit capable of 32+ daily visits with a permanent 30-bed quarantine unit, supported by an on-site BSL-2/3 laboratory, all within a 6,000 m² footprint. The facility opened in March 2022, with the quarantine unit entering full operation in September 2024, and is staffed by approximately 17 people under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Pierre Van Damme.

The underlying technology stack is a translational vaccinology platform rather than a software product: standardized clinical protocols, a proprietary first-void urine sampling workflow, BSL containment infrastructure, and an in-house challenge-agent portfolio covering polio, RSV, streptococcus, and (in development) malaria. Operational credibility rests on more than 500 vaccine trials and 60+ policy research projects executed under the CEV, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded Poliopolis polio challenge study (2017). The facility also co-hosts the European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, a cross-border alliance with Université Libre de Bruxelles, and operates under ISO 9001 quality management certification (2024).

The business model is a hybrid academic CRO + public-sector research center. Revenue is generated from contracted clinical trial services (typically quoted, project-based engagements from vaccine developers), supplemented by philanthropic and government grants for challenge studies, policy research, and WHO Collaborating Centre activities. Go-to-market is primarily sales-led and reputation-driven, leveraging the institutional track record and leadership credentials of CEV rather than inbound marketing; commercial sponsors are recruited through peer-reviewed publications, the WHO network, and direct scientific outreach, while public-sector demand is sourced through WHO European Region and bilateral government engagements.

Name

Vaccinopolis

Legal name

Vaccinopolis

Website

https://vaccinopolis.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Research Services

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Vaccine Clinical Development & Regulatory Affairs (HLAIAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vaccine Quality, Safety & Pharmacovigilance (HLAIAEAL), Maternal Vaccines (Pregnancy) (HLAIAEAC), National/State/Local Immunization Program Offices (HLAJAHAA)

Keywords

• Clinical vaccine trials
• Human challenge studies
• Translational clinical research
• Infectious disease research
• Vaccine development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Edegem

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Clinical Trial Services (Industry Sponsored): Contract research services for pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, and other sponsors conducting vaccine, therapeutic, and monoclonal trials. Revenue from study design, execution, monitoring, and reporting services.
2. Government/Public Health Funding: Partial funding from federal and Flemish governments for the state-of-the-art facility. Seeking ongoing sponsors for continued deployment and innovative growth.
3. WHO Collaborating Centre Activities: Activities as WHO Collaborating Centre for the WHO European Region for control and prevention of infectious diseases, potentially including policy research and international collaboration projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vaccinopolis operates a 6,000m2 integrated clinical research facility in Edegem, Belgium, providing Phase I-IV vaccine trials, controlled human infection model (CHIM) studies under BSL-2/3 quarantine, and supporting laboratory services for pharmaceutical, biotech, and public health sponsors. It also delivers specialized research in maternal immunization, vaccine confidence, epidemiology, and infectious disease & vaccine monitoring under the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV) at the University of Antwerp.

Product overview

Vaccinopolis is a clinical research organization operated by the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV), offering a unified platform of translational clinical research services. The platform centers on two core clinical facilities: the Ambulatory Trial Unit for outpatient Phase I-IV vaccine trials, and the Human Challenge Trial Unit for contained inpatient human infection trials under BSL-2/3 conditions. Supporting these are comprehensive Laboratory Services with BSL-2 and BSL-3 capabilities. The organization also houses four specialized research teams covering infectious disease & vaccine monitoring, maternal immunization, vaccine confidence/communication/education, and epidemiology. Over its 30+ year history, more than 500 vaccine trials and 60 policy research projects have been conducted. Vaccinopolis forms part of the European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology alongside partner Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ambulatory Trial Unit ISO 9001 certified outpatient clinical research facility for Phase I-IV vaccine trials where volunteers attend multiple visits and return home the same day, with capacity for at least 32 subject visits daily across 4 consultation rooms and 3 sample collection rooms. Serves pharmaceutical, biotech, and public health sponsors.
• Human Challenge Trial Unit Contained inpatient facility for controlled human infection model (CHIM) studies where volunteers are deliberately exposed to infectious pathogens under safe, contained BSL-2 or BSL-3 conditions. Operates with 30-bed quarantine capacity featuring individual sealed rooms, antechambers, HEPA-filtered HVAC, and effluent decontamination to prevent pathogen escape. Available challenge agents include Influenza, with SARS-CoV-2, RSV, Streptococcus, and Malaria under development.
• Laboratory Services Two laboratory suites providing biosafety level 2 and 3 containment to support clinical trials. BSL-2 suite includes 9 individual rooms for sample processing, cell culture, PCR workflows, PBMC isolation, and drug/vaccine reconstitution. BSL-3 suite includes rooms for specimen processing, viral and bacterial QC, plus cold chain storage for challenge agents and clinical trial specimens.
• Infectious Disease & Vaccine Monitoring Research service applying first-void urine (FVU) as a liquid genital tract biopsy for HPV vaccination monitoring, cervical cancer screening, and genital tract infections detection during vaccine trials. Coordinates the HPV Prevention and Control Board and supports the Coalition to Strengthen the HPV Immunization Community.
• Maternal Immunization Research Research service conducting vaccine trials and vaccine acceptance studies in pregnant women, with expertise in the design, conduct, data analysis, and dissemination of results for maternal vaccination strategies focused on immunogenicity and safety.
• Vaccine Confidence, Communication & Education Research and training service providing expertise in vaccine confidence, communication, and education through the CONFIVAX team. Oversees the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (since 1992) and the Adult Immunization Board (since 2022) and operates as the European hub of the Vaccine Confidence Project.
• Epidemiology Research Epidemiological surveillance service monitoring nasopharyngeal carriage of pneumococci and other pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, and SARS-CoV-2) in approximately 1,000 children annually, alongside seroprevalence and vaccination coverage studies.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to form the European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology (EPIV), inaugurated in May 2022. Combines expertise from both institutions to create a center of excellence in vaccinology and pandemic preparedness.
• University of Antwerp (UAntwerp)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVaccinopolis is operated by the Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV), founded in 1994 and part of Vaxinfectio (Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute) within the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. The university provides institutional backing, academic credentials, and research infrastructure.
• University Hospital Antwerp (UZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated less than 500m from UZA's emergency room. Collaboration on clinical research and proximity to hospital facilities provides emergency backup and clinical expertise access.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO Collaborating Centre for the WHO European Region for the control and prevention of infectious diseases since 1996. Provides international collaboration, recognition, and alignment with global health priorities.
• HPV Prevention and Control BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent international multidisciplinary expert board coordinated by Vaccinopolis since 2015. Enhances evidence-based guidance on HPV prevention and control program implementation and sustainability.
• Vaccine Confidence ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONFIVAX team is embedded within the European hub of the Vaccine Confidence Project, working on vaccine confidence research and training.
• Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert board overseen by Vaccinopolis since 1992, aiming to contribute to the control and prevention of viral hepatitis.
• Adult Immunization Board (AIB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert board established 2022, overseen by Vaccinopolis, with goal to reduce the impact of vaccine-preventable infections and diseases among European adults.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Quotient Sciences: Quotient Sciences operates integrated translational and clinical pharmacology services including early-phase vaccine and challenge trial capabilities. It overlaps with Vaccinopolis on translational research, Phase I execution, and integrated laboratory services for vaccine sponsors.
• ICON plc: ICON is one of the largest global contract research organizations with extensive vaccine and infectious disease clinical trial operations. While not focused on human challenge, it competes for the same pharmaceutical and biotech vaccine sponsor contracts that Vaccinopolis services via its ambulatory unit.
• Charles River Laboratories: Charles River Laboratories offers research models, manufacturing, and clinical research services with significant vaccine and infectious disease exposure. It competes for vaccine discovery, preclinical, and clinical support work and operates comparable BSL laboratory infrastructure.
• SGS Health & Nutrition: SGS is a global testing, inspection, and certification company with a clinical research arm running vaccine Phase I-IV trials at dedicated clinical units. It is comparable to Vaccinopolis' ambulatory trial unit operations and BSL laboratory capabilities, but at significantly larger scale and with broader service offerings.

Others

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The Gates Foundation funded the 2017 Poliopolis OPV2 challenge study at CEV and is a major funder of global health vaccine development. As a financial partner and customer to challenge trial facilities, it is highly relevant ecosystem context for Vaccinopolis' commercial pipeline.
• Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI): CEPI is a global partnership funding vaccine development against epidemic threats and supporting clinical trial networks. It is not a direct competitor but is a key ecosystem partner and funder that sources CHIM-capable facilities, including human challenge trial operators like Vaccinopolis and hVIVO.
• World Health Organization (WHO): WHO has designated Vaccinopolis/CEV as a Collaborating Centre since 1996 and is a key institutional partner for global vaccine policy and research. While not a commercial peer, WHO is the most consequential ecosystem participant that shapes demand, standards, and funding flow into vaccine clinical research sites.

Direct peers

• hVIVO: hVIVO (formerly Open Orphan) is a UK-based clinical services company specializing in Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) / human challenge trials for respiratory viruses. It is the most directly comparable peer to Vaccinopolis' challenge unit, offering a similar business model of running quarantine-based challenge studies for vaccine and therapeutic sponsors.
• Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) / European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology: ULB is the strategic co-founder of the European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology alongside Vaccinopolis. EPIV combines both institutions into a unified center of excellence in vaccinology and pandemic preparedness, making ULB/EPIV both a partner and a directly comparable academic vaccine clinical research operation.

Emerging players

• ILiAD Biotechnologies: ILiAD Biotechnologies is a clinical-stage biotech using human challenge models to develop next-generation pertussis vaccines. While smaller and product-focused rather than service-focused, it is a relevant emerging player in the same human challenge trial ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CEVvaccinstudies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vaccinopolis
• Instagraminstagram.com/centrum_evaluatie_vaccinaties

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vaccinopolis