Season 03: episode 05
In this week’s episode Helena and Isabel were honoured to be joined by Rino Rappuoli, Head of External R&D and Chief Scientist at GSK Vaccines.
To mark World Meningitis Day (5 October), Rino discusses his career inspiration and journey; his work on novel scientific concepts such as cellular microbiology and reverse vaccinology, which modern vaccines are based on; and his interest in meningitis, as well as the lasting impact of COVID-19 on the vaccine landscape, how he sees the field developing in future and what investment and innovation is needed from pharma to achieve his vision.
And in ‘news you might have missed’, Helena and Isabel discuss Teva’s new Huntington’s disease campaign, Eisai’s Alzheimer’s drug hitting a historic milestone, cuts to the EU generics industry and more.
A little more on GOLD’s guest…
Rino Rappuoli is known globally for his work in vaccines and immunology and is currently Head of External R&D and Chief Scientist at GSK Vaccines, based in Siena, Italy. He also holds the titles of Honorary Professor of Vaccinology at Imperial College, London, and Extraordinary Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Siena – where he earned his PhD in Biological Sciences.
Named the third most influential person worldwide in the field of vaccines by Terrapin in 2013, Rino has received countless awards, such as a Gold Medal by the Italian President, is a member of several US, UK Italian and European academies of science. He also has no fewer than 765 published works in peer-reviewed journals and as founder of the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, is among the world scientific leaders dedicated to the sustainability of global health.
Most notably, over his career he has introduced several novel scientific concepts: genetic detoxification, cellular microbiology, reverse vaccinology and pangenome, as well as developing several licensed vaccines for conditions such as meningitis and pandemic influenza. His work in vaccine R&D has formed the foundation for how vaccines are developed today.
