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OSLO, —As the frequency and disruption caused by deadly disease outbreaks continue to rise, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategy, CEPI 3.0, aimed at fundamentally changing the world’s approach to combating the most dangerous viral threats.
The plan, announced today, calls for a US$2.5 billion investment from governments, philanthropic organizations, and partners to bolster global disease defenses. The need for such investment is underscored by the significant economic impact of pandemics; research estimates average global losses exceeding $700 billion annually from future pandemic events.
“During COVID-19, the world paid the price of not being prepared,” stated Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI. “Recent outbreaks of Nipah, Ebola, Chikungunya and Marburg are powerful reminders that epidemic and pandemic disease present one of the greatest challenges of our time. Science offers us a solution: by taking decisive action now we can secure a safer future for all.”
CEPI 3.0, slated to begin in , is built around three interconnected priorities designed to accelerate and equitably distribute protection against epidemic and pandemic threats. At its core is the “100 Days Mission,” CEPI’s ambitious goal to develop safe, effective, and accessible vaccines against viruses with pandemic potential within 100 days of their identification.
Modeling suggests that achieving this 100-day timeframe could have dramatically altered the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially saving more than 8 million lives and averting trillions of dollars in global economic damage.
Developing Vaccines for Known and Emerging Threats
A central component of CEPI 3.0 is the development of vaccines targeting both established and emerging pathogens. The strategy focuses on creating response-ready vaccines for high-threat diseases such as Lassa fever, Nipah virus, and Rift Valley fever. Simultaneously, CEPI will invest in research to expand scientific understanding across viral families identified by the World Health Organization as potential sources of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) or pandemics. This proactive approach aims to provide a crucial head start in responding to newly emerging viruses.
Advancing Rapid-Response Platforms
To facilitate rapid vaccine development, CEPI will accelerate the advancement of platform technologies and integrate them with regional manufacturing capabilities. This will empower countries to respond quickly to outbreaks within their borders. Collaboration with regulatory agencies will be crucial, ensuring they have access to data on platform performance to streamline the regulatory review process. This integrated approach aims to accelerate vaccine development, scale up manufacturing, expedite regulatory assessment, and promote greater equity in access from the outset.
Strengthening Global Networks for Rapid Activation
CEPI will focus on connecting, strengthening, and rigorously testing its global scientific networks to ensure they are prepared to respond swiftly and seamlessly to emergencies at every stage – from initial research and development upon threat detection to large-scale manufacturing. The organization aims to secure access to capacity for producing 1–2 billion vaccine doses regionally, enabling a faster and more equitable outbreak response.
“In this increasingly fragmented and vulnerable world, the need for a global, science-led health protection plan is clear,” said Hon. Prof. Jane Halton, Chair of the Coalition. “Investing in CEPI’s innovation and rapid response capabilities is one of the smartest steps countries can take to protect themselves and the world from future crises.”
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, emphasized the transformative potential of CEPI’s 100 Days Mission for Africa, noting that the partnership strengthens surveillance capacity for early outbreak detection and builds the infrastructure for developing and manufacturing safe and effective vaccines, enhancing both regional and global safety.
CEPI 3.0 represents the next phase of CEPI’s overarching mission: to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biological countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats, ensuring equitable access for all who need them. In less than a decade, CEPI has become a central player in global health security, supporting over 50 vaccine candidates and 25 platform investments, co-leading COVAX to deliver nearly 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses and avert millions of deaths, and contributing to scientific breakthroughs for numerous challenging pathogens, all while prioritizing equity.
The total funding required to deliver CEPI 3.0 is US$3.6 billion. With US$1.1 billion already secured and committed, CEPI is actively seeking an additional US$2.5 billion to fully unlock the strategy’s potential to protect the world against future epidemic and pandemic threats.
