Public Health-Driven Research and Innovation for Next-Generation Influenza Vaccines, European Union.

Influenza virus infections are a major public health threat. Vaccination is available, but unpredictable antigenic changes in circulating strains require annual modification of seasonal influenza vaccines. Vaccine effectiveness has proven limited, particularly in certain groups, such as the elderly. Moreover, preparedness for upcoming pandemics is challenging because we can predict neither the strain that will cause the next pandemic nor the severity of the pandemic. The European Union fosters research and innovation to develop novel vaccines that evoke broadly protective and long-lasting immune responses against both seasonal and pandemic influenza, underpinned by a political commitment to global public health.

Research strategies for safety evaluation of nanomaterials, part VIII: International efforts to develop risk-based safety evaluations for nanomaterials.

The use of nanotechnology in consumer and industrial applications will likely have a profound impact on a number of products from a variety of industrial sectors. Nanomaterials exhibit unique physical/chemical properties and impart enhancements to engineered materials, including better magnetic properties, improved electrical activity, and increased optical properties. The United States, Europe, and Japan have each initiated comprehensive programs to promote and expand the utility of nanotechnology for commercial applications. An important component of these programs is the development of reliable risk and safety evaluations for these materials to ensure their safety for human health and the environment. The scope of each of these programs includes efforts to assess the hazards posed by nanomaterials in realistic exposure conditions.