New EU4Health contracts signed following pre-commercial procurement scheme: speeding up the development of and access to next-generation influenza vaccines

HaDEA has just signed three new framework contracts under the 2024 EU4Health Work Programme, on behalf of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), to advance Europe’s preparedness for future influenza threats. 

These contracts stem from the EU4Health call for tenders HADEA/2025/CPN/0008, launched to speed up the development and early access to next generation influenza vaccines, which could significantly improve Europe’s readiness for seasonal and pandemic influenza. 

This procedure marks a milestone in HaDEA’s approach to managing innovation procurement procedures, as it was launched in the form of a Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP). This procurement method is designed to buy research and development (R&D) services for solutions that are not yet available on the market. Through PCP, multiple contractors are selected competitively to provide R&D services, supporting innovation.

The contracts are structured in three sequential phases, with the number of participating contractors narrowed down as the work progresses. Each phase corresponds to a specific contract under the framework and aims to advance candidate vaccines through increasingly complex development stages, including both non-clinical and clinical activities.

By promoting novel influenza vaccines, the action aligns with the EU4Health programme’s strategic objective to improve availability, accessibility and affordability of critical medical countermeasures that strengthen health system resilience and preparedness for future cross-border health threats.

Contract duration and budget

The contracts were signed in February 2026 and will run for 98 months to allow for comprehensive development and potential regulatory preparation. The total ceiling budget is €225 million, covering all phases and selected contractors under the framework.

This investment represents one of the largest EU4Health procurements targeting pandemic preparedness and demonstrates a long-term commitment to advancing vaccine innovation and strengthening Europe’s ability to anticipate and respond to future influenza outbreaks.

HaDEA, in cooperation with HERA, expects to gradually increase the use of innovation pre-commercial procurement to address the needs of EU citizens and reinforce EU’s public health and health crisis preparedness.

Read the European Commission's press release. 

Background  

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The EU4Health programme goes beyond an ambitious response to the COVID-19 crisis to address the resilience of European healthcare systems. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. 

This action supports the policy priority to enhance the availability and accessibility of medical countermeasures and critical medicines, to support innovation and access regarding such products and to ultimately enhance preparedness for future health emergencies in synergy with Horizon Europe. It implements the EU4Health Programme’s general objective of improving the availability, accessibility and affordability of medicinal products and medical devices and crisis-relevant products.