Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
Name	Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
Founded	January 2017
Location	Oslo, Norway
Key people	Richard Hatchett (CEO), Jane Halton (Chair of the Board)
Focus	Epidemic and pandemic preparedness, vaccine development
Website	https://cepi.net

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations is an international partnership launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos to develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases. Founded in 2017 by the governments of Norway and India, the Wellcome Trust, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it aims to accelerate vaccine development to prevent future epidemics. Its work is central to global health security, coordinating efforts among public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organizations.

History and formation

The organization was conceived in response to the devastating West African Ebola virus epidemic and the perceived lack of preparedness for Disease X. Key figures, including Jeremy Farrar of the Wellcome Trust and Bill Gates, advocated for a new model to finance and coordinate vaccine research. The formal proposal was presented at the 2017 World Economic Forum, gaining immediate support from the Government of Norway and the Government of India. Its creation was also endorsed by the World Health Organization and aligned with the goals of the Global Health Security Agenda.

Mission and objectives

Its primary mission is to derail epidemics by accelerating the development of vaccines and making them accessible to populations during outbreaks. Core objectives include preparing for known epidemic threats, like Lassa fever and Nipah virus, and enabling rapid response to unknown pathogens, termed Disease X. A central pillar of its work is the "100 Days Mission," an ambition to have a safe, effective vaccine ready for initial authorization within 100 days of a pandemic pathogen's identification. This goal was championed during the United Kingdom's presidency of the G7.

Organizational structure and governance

The coalition is headquartered in Oslo and operates as an international foundation under Norwegian law. Its governance is led by a Board of Directors, chaired by Jane Halton, and includes representatives from member states, industry, and academia. Day-to-day operations are managed by Chief Executive Officer Richard Hatchett. Key decision-making involves its Scientific Advisory Committee and partnerships with entities like the World Health Organization, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Major donors, including the European Commission and the government of Japan, have seats on its investment committee.

Key programs and vaccine portfolio

Its portfolio targets priority pathogens identified by the World Health Organization's R&D Blueprint. Major programs include developing vaccines for Chikungunya, Rift Valley fever, and Marburg virus disease. A landmark achievement was its rapid co-funding of multiple COVID-19 vaccine platforms, including those developed by Novavax, University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, and Moderna. It also funds innovative platform technologies, such as mRNA and viral vector platforms, to enable rapid response to Disease X. The "100 Days Mission" program involves partnerships with companies like BioNTech and research at the University of Queensland.

Funding and financial model

Initial seed funding of $460 million was provided by the Wellcome Trust, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the governments of Norway, India, and Germany. It operates on a partnership model, securing contributions from sovereign nations, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector. Major donors include the European Commission, the United Kingdom Government, Japan, and Australia. Its financial strategy involves de-risking early-stage vaccine development for manufacturers and using Advance Market Commitment models to guarantee future procurement, similar to mechanisms used by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Impact and major achievements

Its most visible impact was its pivotal role in the early-stage funding of several successful COVID-19 vaccine candidates, significantly compressing typical development timelines. It has established a global network of clinical trial sites, including in Africa and Southeast Asia, to ensure rapid efficacy testing. The coalition co-leads the COVAX facility with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organization to ensure equitable global vaccine access. It has advanced late-stage development for a Chikungunya vaccine and funded the first-ever Phase I clinical trial for a Nipah virus vaccine. Its advocacy was instrumental in establishing the Pandemic Fund at the World Bank.

Category:International medical and health organizations Category:Organizations established in 2017 Category:Epidemiology