CEPI Latest CEPI Updates
Testing the tests: Scientists seek out best on-the-spot diagnostics for deadly Nipah and Lassa
CEPI is funding up to $14.9 million to FIND to run this 4-year project which will identify the criteria for an optimum rapid diagnostic test and select rapid tests for Lassa and Nipah. Successful diagnostics will be progressed to licensure for widespread use.
Scientists from around the world who specialise in human challenge studies are laying the groundwork for the development of next-generation COVID-19 vaccines that could stop SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses before they infect people. Researchers at multiple clinical research facilities will use carefully selected and calibrated coronaviruses to try to infect healthy volunteers who have received an experimental vaccine. The project, led by Imperial College London, will receive $57m (£44m) in co-funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme and CEPI.
Participants in Nigeria vaccinated in first-ever Phase 2 Lassa fever vaccine clinical trial
A CEPI-funded first-ever Phase II Lassa vaccine trial was launched by IAVI in Nigeria. The trial is taking place in Abuja to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of IAVI’s single dose Lassa fever vaccine candidate. More than 600 participants are expected to enroll in the study, which is also due to take place in Liberia and Ghana pending regulatory approval.
University of Oxford pandemic computer simulations to guide future vaccine trials
As part of CEPI’s strategic partnership with University of Oxford, CEPI will provide up to US $2.4 million to researchers at Oxford’s Pandemic Sciences Institute to model different vaccine clinical trial options and suggest the most optimal trial design. The ‘PREpare using Simulated Trial Optimisation (PRESTO)’ research project will create analysis sheets for CEPI priority diseases. These analyses will, for example, suggest whether to run a randomised controlled trial or a ring vaccination trial in response to an escalating outbreak; the optimal number of participants to enrol; and the likely time needed to run the study.
Africa CDC and CEPI deepen partnership to fortify African preparedness against disease outbreaks
Africa CDC and CEPI are deepening their partnership to help strengthen epidemic and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in Africa, and to foster a more equitable response to future disease outbreaks. In line with the African Union‘s goal of producing 60% of Africa’s vaccines by 2040, the expanded partnership will ultimately focus on enhancing R&D, workforce development, and supply chain optimisation to support resilient health systems.
CEPI teams up with Korea’s pandemic agency to fight future disease outbreaks
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and CEPI are joining forces through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding, laying out a plan to collaborate and accelerate the development of vaccines against public health threats, with epidemic or pandemic potential. Specifically, the organisations intend to collaborate on scientific research projects and laboratory capacity-building, and may also share information relating to pathogens and cutting-edge pandemic-response technologies.
BioNTech and CEPI expand partnership to strengthen Africa’s mRNA vaccine ecosystem
CEPI is expanding its partnership with BioNTech to enhance mRNA vaccine R&D, clinical and commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities at BioNTech’s facility in Kigali, Rwanda. CEPI’s investment of up to US$145 million will help to establish sustainable and resilient end-to-end regional infrastructure and enable faster and more equitable responses to disease outbreaks with epidemic or pandemic potential in Africa.
CEPI and Gavi extend partnership to target future disease outbreaks
CEPI and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance are expanding their partnership to enhance the rapid development, deployment and access to vaccines against deadly disease threats with outbreak potential. Captured through a new Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership will build upon their COVAX collaboration to facilitate faster sharing of global health and vaccine information with one another to better prepare for and respond to future epidemics, harnessing CEPI and Gavi’s respective expertise to accelerate equitable access to outbreak vaccines for people most in need, regardless of ability to pay.
