CVR - Coronavirus Vaccines R&D Roadmap

Milestone
2.1.c

Immunoassay development

In progress
High priority

Develop standardized and reproducible assays to answer the key immunologic mechanistic questions related to coronavirus infection, disease, and transmission that the biorepository samples can address.

Progress Highlights

The CEPI-Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) was established to standardize immunological assays globally, enabling consistent evaluation of coronavirus vaccines and ensuring data reliability across facilities.

The CLN has processed over 70,000 samples using six standardized immunologic assays: S-ELISA, RBD-ELISA, N-ELISA, MNA, PNA, and IFN-γ ELISpo; all assays have been validated to international regulatory standards (ICH, EMA, FDA, WHO, USP). Quantitative validation of assays across 7 CLN labs showed high reproducibility and accuracy

Transfer of assays across facilities involved gap analysis, inter-lab studies, and revalidation to ensure reproducibility.

Centralized data collection via structured report forms and an internal database allows real-time tracking of assay consistency.

Zhang 2025 describes how a multi-institutional collaborative group in China is working to develop standardized nasal mucosal lining fluid-based assays for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA.