Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines (NIV) is a specialized research and development entity focused on the creation of novel vaccines for respiratory diseases. Launched in 2023 with a commitment of DKK 1.8 billion from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the initiative operates as a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Vaccine Accelerator (NVAC). Its primary mission is to develop vaccines against major global health threats including Tuberculosis, Group A Streptococcus, and Influenza. By bridging the gap between academic discovery and industrial-scale development, NIV aims to advance vaccine candidates through Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. The organization utilizes a dual-arm structure consisting of the Vaccine Immunology Center (VIC) for basic research and NVAC for translational development.