ShigaPlexIM: SUNSHINE trial vaccination started at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia

The SUNSHINE trial has now proceeded to the start of vaccination of participants living in Shigella endemic setting at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ).

June 2025

The SUNSHINE trial aims to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the  InvaplexAR-Detox/dmLT vaccine, a new vaccine against shigellosis. The trial started in October 2024, in a Shigella non-endemic setting, at the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands. The vaccine safety was confirmed, allowing the trial to continue at CIDRZ.

Participant receiving his first administration at the CIDRZ-run Matero Clinical Research Site

LUMC is the sponsor and runs the phase Ia part  of the trial, the InvaplexAR-Detox antigen is provided by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), PATH is providing the dmLT adjuvant and the University of Gothenburg (UGOT) is responsible for setting up the immunology assays. European Vaccine Initiative, the coordinator of the ShigaPlexIM project, is in charge of the clinical trial monitoring.

If proven safe and effective, the vaccine could significantly reduce the global burden of shigellosis, particularly in vulnerable populations. This trial is an important step towards achieving that goal, with the potential to improve health outcomes worldwide.

CIDRZ team after administration of the first dose

CIDRZ pharmacy team after preparation of the first vaccine dose

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This project is part of the EDCTP2 Programme supported by the European Union (RIA2018V-2308)