CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)

“We don’t know when the next Disease X is coming – nor what it may be - but we know it’s guaranteed. We therefore need to leverage the world’s leading vaccine innovations, like the RNA technology that Imperial College London is developing, to be ready to rapidly respond to whatever may come our way.” Earlier this week we announced the launch of a new CEPI-funded trial of an investigational rabies vaccine that could be easier and cheaper to produce than existing vaccines, while also providing crucial insights into whether the vaccine’s underlying next-generation RNA platform can help to tackle future pandemic threats. The early clinical study, known as RAB-Vac, is led in collaboration between Imperial College London and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/ezSdpUPE

The Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the fastest escalating and second-largest Ebola epidemic on record. Yesterday, we welcomed US $5 million funding from the Fund for Science and Technology to support our efforts to advance a promising Bundibugyo vaccine candidate being developed by our partners Minapharm Pharmaceuticals, an Egyptian biopharmaceutical company, with support from ProBioGen AG. Over 8000 Ebola infections have now been reported across seven provinces in the DRC, with almost half of those cases proving fatal. Since the public health emergency was announced in May, we've been working around the clock with international health and science partners to respond to the outbreak. We are currently supporting the development of five promising Bundibugyo-specific vaccine candidates that, if successful in testing, could help to curtail the epidemic and save lives, while strengthening preparedness for future Bundibugyo emergencies.

CEPI's September newsletter is now available! 🗞️ This month spotlights continued momentum for CEPI 3.0, with $240 million in new funding pledged by partners at UNGA 81. It also features our latest R&D partnerships, new funding opportunities and lots more. ⬇️

As global health leaders ready themselves for this year’s World Health Summit in Berlin, CEPI invites you to join its official panel discussion, From Crisis Response to Resilience: Innovating for Health Security Beyond Borders. Echoing the World Health Summit 2026 theme, “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health”, this session will position CEPI 3.0 as a practical framework connecting technological innovation, cross-sector and cross-border partnership, and population-level resilience – and explore how investment in CEPI 3.0 helps countries mitigate the health, socio-economic and security impact of outbreaks. Confirmed speakers so far include: 🔵 Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, Director General of African Medicines Agency 🔵 Dr. Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa 🔵 Hon Prof Jane Halton AO PSM FAICD, Chair of CEPI 🔵 Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI 🔵 Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi 🔵 Prof Dr Clara Schoeder, Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Leipzig Date: Monday, 12th October; Time: 16:00-17:30 CEST Attend in person or watch the livestream. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eQrZda5E

Last week in Kigali, Rwanda, we launched GS LEARN (the Global South Leaders in Epidemic Analytics and Response Network) – a CEPI-led initiative delivered in partnership with the Gates Foundation and Global Health EDCTP3. GS LEARN aims to strengthen leadership, technical capacity and collaboration in epidemic analytics and infectious disease modelling across institutions in the Global South, helping ensure that outbreak expertise can be rapidly activated when it is needed most. By strengthening locally led analytical capabilities and regional networks, GS LEARN will support faster, more informed public health action, scenario planning, and vaccine and medical countermeasure decisions. Setting the tone for the event, Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), reinforced why this capacity needs to be built and sustained in the Global South, stating that it “is not something we have to take as convenience. It must become a matter of sovereignty over our health security.” A point echoed by CEPI CEO Dr Richard Hatchett in his opening remarks: “Those closest to outbreaks should have the tools, partnerships, and analytical resources needed to guide effective response.” Over the two days, members discussed what success looks like for GS LEARN in the short, mid and long term and how the network will operate in practice across institutions and regions. From these discussions, a clear theme emerged: the strength of GS LEARN will come from the leadership, expertise and ownership of the regions it serves. Two years in the making, the launch in Kigali was both a celebration of the journey already taken by GS LEARN’s regional facilitators and implementing partners, and a moment to look ahead to the work, collaboration and achievements still to come. CEPI and partners look forward to welcoming more new members to the initiative in the future.

New funding opportunity: The BioPREVAIL x CEPI Biosecurity Innovation Challenge is seeking practical biosafety and biosecurity innovations to strengthen vaccine research, development and manufacturing during epidemic and pandemic responses, supporting CEPI’s 100 Days Mission. “Achieving the 100 Days Mission means moving at unprecedented speed without compromising safety or security”, said Andrew Hebbeler, Ph.D. Hebbeler, Director of Biosecurity at CEPI. “The BioPREVAIL x CEPI Biosecurity Innovation Challenge will help turn promising ideas into practical safeguards that can be tested and deployed in real-world settings, including where resources and infrastructure are constrained. We are proud to work with BioPREVAIL to advance innovative solutions from around the world that strengthen biosecurity and support the 100 Days Mission.” Three teams will receive a six-month accelerator, including up to US$50,000 in funding each, technical mentorship and access to global health experts, culminating in a showcase in Geneva in May 2027. Startups, companies, academic and research groups, laboratories, non-profits and consortia from any country can apply. Deadline: 31 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET More info and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/e8_2nVNM

We're delighted to welcome CAD$5 million in new, targeted funding from the Government of Canada to support CEPI's biosecurity programme. This funding continues Canada’s leadership in implementing CEPI's biosecurity strategy, ensuring the life-saving research we fund is conducted to the highest standards of safety and security. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Canada to strengthen global health security — and to secure the future, for everyone. Read more about CEPI’s biosecurity strategy: https://lnkd.in/exRt9RT5 Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/epFgF-hm Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada

Yesterday, I spoke at Anthropic’s UNGA event, AI for Global Benefit, about how we can harness the enormous potential of AI to strengthen our defences against epidemic and pandemic threats, while also managing the risks that come with these technologies. I explained how CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) is already applying AI today, from using Anthropic’s Claude to help assess vaccine funding proposals during the Bundibugyo response, to our plans for the Pandemic Preparedness Engine, an AI-powered platform designed to help researchers analyse and connect scientific evidence to support rapid vaccine development. I also spoke about why speed cannot come at the expense of safety and security. CEPI has long been working to ensure that AI-enabled advances in the 100 Days Mission are developed and used responsibly, with biosecurity and equitable access built in from the start. As I said in my speech: a world ready for any viral threat, however it emerges, is a world that is protected.  Tune in from around 30:00 to watch my full presentation: https://lnkd.in/e9daNqZr

Singapore and Hilleman Laboratories will host an event on the side lines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly to explore lessons from recent outbreaks and what they can teach us about strengthening preparedness for future health emergencies. CEPI CEO Dr Richard Hatchett will join this event for a panel discussion, alongside other leading voices, on pivot-ready partnerships, exploring what it takes to rapidly develop and deploy vaccines and other countermeasures when new threats emerge. Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies of Singapore, will deliver the opening remarks. 📅 Wednesday 23 September, 08:30–10:00 ET You may request to join the event in person here: https://luma.com/6a6tpke0

🔉 Major new funding for CEPI announced today at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.  Ethiopia, Norway and the UK have pledged a combined US$240 million to support CEPI’s five-year plan to transform the world’s ability to prevent and respond to future epidemic and pandemic threats. Ethiopia has committed to continue the country’s long-standing financial support for CEPI, Norway has committed US$106 million (NOK 1 billion), and the UK has committed up to US$134 million (£100 million). Together, these commitments will support CEPI 3.0, the Coalition's 2027–2031 strategy to systematically reduce the likelihood, impact and cost of epidemics and pandemics.  CEPI 3.0 is built around three interconnected priorities that, together, will drive the 100 Days Mission towards an operational reality: 🔵 Developing vaccines against the most dangerous pathogens and viral families  🔵 Advancing rapid-response vaccine platforms that can be adapted to new viruses  🔵 Strengthening global research, manufacturing and regulatory networks that can be rapidly activated when outbreaks strike As CEPI CEO Dr Richard Hatchett said: “By backing CEPI 3.0, Ethiopia, Norway and the UK are showing the kind of foresight and leadership that global health security depends on. Their investments will strengthen the world's disease defences, helping us respond rapidly and equitably to emerging viral threats.” With the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response taking place later this week, these commitments are an important demonstration of the continued investment needed to #SecureTheFuture against the threat of epidemics and pandemics. Thank you to Ethiopia, Norway and the UK for backing CEPI 3.0.  Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/esa7Ma6B