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| Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations |
| Abbreviation | CEPI |
| Formation | 2017 |
| Type | Philanthropic foundation; public–private partnership |
| Headquarters | Oslo |
| Region served | Global |
| Leader title | CEO |
| Leader name | Richard Hatchett |
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international public–private partnership established to finance and coordinate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases. Founded in 2017, the organization seeks to accelerate vaccine research and development for pathogens with epidemic potential, bridging gaps among philanthropic funders, national agencies, biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutes, and global health organizations. CEPI operates at the intersection of global health security and biomedical innovation, engaging with stakeholders across continents to prepare for and respond to outbreaks.
CEPI was launched at a high-profile meeting in 2017 involving representatives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the Government of Norway, and the World Economic Forum, informed by earlier outbreaks including Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, Zika virus epidemic, and concerns raised after the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa. The initiative drew on lessons from vaccine responses during the H1N1 pandemic and discussions at the Global Vaccine Action Plan forums, aligning with the formation of organizations such as the World Health Organization's R&D Blueprint. Early governance included advisors from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations founding partners and leaders from institutions like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CEPI's role expanded markedly during the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic when it funded accelerated vaccine platforms and partnered with developers such as Moderna (company), AstraZeneca, Novavax, and Inovio Pharmaceuticals. The rapid mobilization echoed prior collaborative efforts involving Médecins Sans Frontières and agencies that responded to the 2013–2016 West African Ebola epidemic.
CEPI's mission is to stimulate, finance, and coordinate vaccine development against priority pathogens identified by the World Health Organization and other expert bodies, aiming to compress timelines from years to months. Objectives include advancing vaccine candidates for diseases on the WHO R&D Blueprint list such as Lassa fever, Nipah virus infection, and MERS-CoV, supporting platform technologies like mRNA and viral vectors, and establishing equitable access frameworks with partners like the Access to Medicine Foundation. CEPI also prioritizes creating vaccine manufacturing capacity in regions affected by outbreaks, coordinating with agencies such as the African Union and the Pan American Health Organization.
CEPI is governed by a board composed of representatives from governments, philanthropy, industry, and academia, drawing on expertise from institutions like Imperial College London, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University. Major funders have included national governments such as the Government of India, the Government of Japan, the Government of Germany, and philanthropic entities including the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. CEPI's funding mechanisms combine grant agreements, advance market commitments similar to those used by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and partnerships with private firms like GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. CEPI also coordinates with multilateral actors including the World Bank on financing strategies for pandemic preparedness.
CEPI supports a portfolio-based approach to vaccine R&D, investing across technology platforms and disease targets. Programs have included support for mRNA platforms developed by companies like Moderna (company), nanoparticle vaccines by Novavax, and viral vector approaches used by AstraZeneca. CEPI funds preclinical to clinical-stage trials at sites affiliated with institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and Institut Pasteur. It emphasizes platform readiness, standardized assays, and shared clinical trial protocols influenced by prior experiences at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and University of Oxford.
CEPI functions through extensive collaborations with global organizations, academic centers, biotech firms, and manufacturers. It works with the World Health Organization on priority pathogen lists and trial coordination, partners with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for procurement and distribution strategies, and collaborates with regional research networks such as the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum. Industry partnerships have included Moderna (company), AstraZeneca, Novavax, CureVac, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. CEPI also engages non-governmental organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières and research funders such as the National Institutes of Health to harmonize regulatory and ethical frameworks.
CEPI has contributed to accelerated vaccine development during major outbreaks, notably supporting candidates for Ebola virus disease in prior epidemics and funding early rapid-response work for COVID-19 vaccine development. It has invested in regional manufacturing initiatives in collaboration with entities like the African Union and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations partners to expand production capacity. CEPI’s investments in platform technologies have shortened timelines for candidate selection and enabled coordination with deployment actors, including COVAX Facility stakeholders and national immunization programs run by ministries such as the Ministry of Health (Brazil).
CEPI has faced scrutiny over allocation of funding, transparency in contract terms with pharmaceutical firms, and challenges ensuring equitable access, drawing critique from organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières and commentators in outlets like The Lancet. Debates have addressed intellectual property arrangements with companies like Moderna (company) and AstraZeneca and the effectiveness of public–private models compared with alternative mechanisms proposed by entities like the Global Health Security Agenda. Questions have also been raised about regional capacity-building pace relative to commitments from donors including national treasuries and philanthropic foundations.
Category:Global health organizations