CEPI looks to stem epidemics with new vaccines and facilities

Published: 22-Jan-2017

CEPI will initially target the MERS-CoV, Lassa and Nipah viruses which have known potential to cause serious epidemic


CEPI – the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations – will seek to outsmart epidemics by developing safe and effective vaccines against known infectious disease threats that could be deployed rapidly to contain outbreaks, before they become global health emergencies.

CEPI also hopes to shorten the time it takes to develop new vaccines to protect against viruses that emerge suddenly as public health threats, by capitalising on exciting developments in adaptable vaccine technology and investing in facilities that could respond quickly to previously unknown pathogens.

With an initial investment of US$460m from the governments of Germany, Japan and Norway, plus the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, CEPI will initially target the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome MERS-CoV, Lassa and Nipah viruses, which have known potential to cause serious epidemics.

It aims to develop two promising vaccine candidates against each of these diseases before any epidemic, so these are available without delay if and when an outbreak begins.

It will also scope out potential support for vaccines against multiple strains of the Ebola and Marburg viruses, and Zika.

Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said: “Ebola and Zika showed that the world is tragically unprepared to detect local outbreaks and respond quickly enough to prevent them from becoming global pandemics. Without investments in R&D, we will remain unequipped when we face the next threat.

“The ability to rapidly develop and deliver vaccines when new ‘unknown’ diseases emerge offers our best hope to outpace outbreaks, save lives and avert disastrous economic consequences. CEPI is a great example of how supporting innovation and R&D can help the world to address some of its most pressing health challenges.”

Between 16-31 December 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 15 additional cases of MERS including two fatal cases. Five deaths among previously reported MERS cases were also reported. Globally, since September 2012, 1879 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV including at least 666 related deaths have been reported to WHO.

MERS-CoV causes severe human infections resulting in high mortality and has demonstrated the ability to transmit between humans. So far, the observed human-to-human transmission has occurred mainly in healthcare settings.

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