Leprosy Vaccine

American Leprosy Missions is committed to bringing an END to leprosy by developing a leprosy vaccine that will stop this terrible disease before it even starts.

In 2002, American Leprosy Missions began a partnership with the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) in Seattle, Washington to develop a vaccine for leprosy.

An investment of 20 years and more than $6 million has resulted in LepVax: a vaccine that finished Phase 1a clinical safety trials in healthy human volunteers and is headed into Phase 1b/2a among people most at risk.

You have the exciting opportunity to partner with us to make a lasting difference in the world by opening the door to finally stopping this devastating disease.

Why is a leprosy vaccine needed?

  • This ancient disease is still disabling and isolating people.
  • Every TWO MINUTES someone is diagnosed with leprosy.
  • More than FOUR MILLION people in the world suffer from leprosy-related disabilities.
  • An effective vaccine will limit infection, prevent disease and reduce transmission.
  • A vaccine is the only way to end this terrible disease.

Why now?

  • LepVax is the first leprosy-specific vaccine to go through Phase I clinical trials.
  • We believe this vaccine will be an exciting new way to STOP the transmission of leprosy and the only way to PROTECT people from the disease long term.
  • What’s more, the vaccine may protect against nerve damage, the most serious complication of leprosy.
  • The vaccine has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Progress and next steps

August 2017: Approved by Food and Drug Administration
October 2017: Started Phase Ia clinical trial
August 2019: Completed Phase Ia clinical trial
2020–2021: COVID-19 delay
2022: Regulatory submissions 
2023-2025: Two-year Phase Ib/2a clinical trial in Brazil

Read more about the clinical trials and the results from Phase Ia.

Our Work Burlap Bar

Join us – Together we can help end leprosy

By God’s grace and with your partnership, a vaccine will spare children like Marc Jun the devastation and heartbreak of leprosy.