CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)

Could a special type of antibody found in animals like aplacas help to usher in a new era of affordable antibody-driven infectious disease prevention solutions? This new article from The Telegraph explores CEPI's latest project with AstraZeneca, which is hoping to answer exactly that question. The VHH antibody, as it's known, could offer multiple advantages over existing antibody-based interventions like monoclonal antibodies. Its high potency means lower concentrations may be required, and its stability could eliminate the need for cold chain storage, making it potentially cheaper to produce. Besides this likely cost-saving, the small size of VHHs allows them to target parts of a virus that conventional antibodies cannot reach, which could help to address a major challenge: “virus escape.” More ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eeGyzNbh

CEPI welcomes the UK Health Security Agency's new Priority Pathogens reference tool, which includes 24 viral families of epidemic or pandemic concern ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eF3223PC With so many viruses able to cause human disease, a tool like this helps determine research priorities and advance global preparedness. Among the pathogen families where UKHSA is keen to see greater scientific strides are the coronaviruses, which include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and SARS-CoV-2; the paramyxoviruses, which include Nipah virus; and the orthomyxoviruses, which include avian influenza. It's encouraging to see a growing consensus towards a pathogen family approach - also championed by CEPI, the WHO and others - to epidemic and pandemic R&D, which will ultimately help to make the world safer for everyone. Learn more about these priority viral families in CEPI's The Viral Most Wanted series: https://lnkd.in/ez_rvJm8

📝 REPORT: Priorities for Rift Valley fever vaccine development 🌍💉 In a new report, experts from around the world have identified key priorities for advancing Rift Valley Fever (RVF) vaccine research. Key areas include improving data collection, enhancing diagnostics, and implementing people-centered strategies to prevent future outbreaks. 🦠🔬 The report, which stems from a workshop held last year in Nairobi organized by CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), was published in Vaccine journal this month. Dr. Grace Mwangoka from Ifakara Health Institute contributed as a co-author to this vital document. 📚✨ Explore the findings and the next steps in RVF vaccine research below!  >> https://lnkd.in/eKgx-dw3 >> #IFAKARANews #RVF #VaccineResearch #OneHealth

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC, visited CEPI during his stay in Norway last week discussing CEPI’s engagement in Africa as well as the work of Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative. Earlier that day, Dr Kaseya also co-signed an MoU with the Norwegian Minister of Health, Jan Christian Vestre, facilitating enhanced collaboration between Africa CDC and Norwegian institutions. The signing happened during a seminar on how to safeguard health in Africa considering the #Lusaka agenda, where Frederik Kristensen participated on a panel representing CEPI and RVMC. Africa CDC is an important partner for CEPI to strengthen epidemic and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in Africa. United by a shared mission, the organizations collaborate to boost regional vaccine research, development, and sustainable manufacturing leadership and capabilities in Africa, fostering a faster and more equitable response to emerging infectious diseases. Guri Rortveit Frode Forland Kristin Braa Lumbwe Chola Marta Minwyelet Terefe (MD, MPH, PhD Fellow) Solomon Yimer Valentina Bernasconi, PhD, MGH

📣 Efforts to advance the first-ever vaccine against #MiddleEastRespiratorySyndrome are progressing, with a new CEPI investment moving a promising vaccine candidate into preclinical trials💉 With up to $2.6 million funding from CEPI, the new #MERS vaccine is being developed by Uvax Bio, an early-stage vaccine technology company which is a spin-out of The Scripps Research Institute in the US. The investment forms part of CEPI’s wider coronavirus vaccine portfolio. Uvax’s novel vaccine design uses tiny protein “nanoparticles” to closely resemble, or mimic, the size and shape of the MERS coronavirus. By analysing viral structures, the vaccine technology has been created to present enhanced antigens—parts of the virus that trigger an immune response—in a design that offers stability and could help provide strong immune protection. Like the virus behind COVID-19, MERS is part of the coronavirus family. MERS has a higher fatality rate than COVID-19, with up to a third of infections resulting in death. Over 2600 cases have been reported since its discovery in 2012.

Did you know that antibodies found in the blood of someone who has fought off a virus can provide key insight into how to protect others from the same virus? Pooling antibody data from patients who have recovered from a disease and have high levels of antibodies enables vaccinologists to understand what good protection looks like, what level of immunity a vaccine needs to induce for it to offer durable protection, and how a vaccine might perform in humans. This material leads to the creation of antibody standards, which help standardise and harmonise vaccine performance and facilitate regulatory approval. CEPI scientist Selorm Avumegah explains the crucial role of antibody standards in vaccine research and how CEPI's investment in such standards help the world to be better prepared to face future outbreaks. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/exuUVukq

CEPI is collaborating with AstraZeneca to advance research into an innovative antibody—found in animals like camels, llamas and some sharks—which could reduce costs and increase global access to antibody-based interventions, compared to existing monoclonal antibodies. CEPI funding of up to US$43.5 million will support AstraZeneca to evaluate the innovative antibody, known as a VHH (Variable Heavy domain of a Heavy chain-only antibody), in a preclinical proof-of-concept study through Phase 1 clinical trials. The VHH is designed to target four pandemic influenza virus strains—H1, H3, H5 and H7—capable of attaching to multiple parts of the virus, known as a multi-specific molecule, potentially increasing the chance of protection. Once proof-of-concept has been established for an antibody targeting influenza, the technology could potentially be used to tackle a range of future infectious disease outbreaks, swiftly and more affordably. Like naturally occurring antibodies or monoclonal antibodies, VHHs work by targeting harmful pathogens and neutralising the foreign invader. Upon binding to the virus, VHHs can prevent the virus from entering the body’s cells. In an outbreak setting, this VHH-based multi-specific antibody could serve as a protective bridge prior to the onset of longer-lasting vaccine-induced immunity. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eP-77HTw

Are you from a Global South country interested in CEPI’s work and looking for ways to get involved? Check out CEPI’s Global South Fellowship Program, now accepting applications for its second cohort: https://lnkd.in/e3bZDHxp   With four newly opened positions, the Program is an opportunity for individuals from Global South countries to further participate in global pandemic preparedness and response forums while acting as regional champions in support of the 100 Days Mission and CEPI’s vision for a pandemic-free future. The Fellowship Program aims to build capacity for future global health leaders, enhance readiness for the 100 Days Mission in the Global South, and facilitate knowledge exchange through improved global collaboration, in support of CEPI’s vision for a pandemic-free future. The Global South Fellow positions are situated in varied departments with specific focus areas within CEPI.   🔵 Epidemiology and Data Science: Support continuous improvement for Lassa clinical research in West Africa 🔵 Epidemiology and Data Science: Support Global South Leaders in Epidemic Analysis and Response Network (GS LEARN) 🔵 Laboratory Research and Innovations (LRI): Develop a sustainability plan for the LRI Laboratory Network 🔵 Strategy: Support a redesign of CEPI’s organisational Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning approach Selected fellows will work from their home country, collaborating with CEPI on projects, engaging in local networks, and participating in training sessions. These new openings are an exciting opportunity to contribute to and work as part of an international and dynamic organisation, leading efforts to develop countermeasures that can be accessed quickly and equitably in the face of a future outbreak.   📅 Fellowship duration: Up to 1 year, starting around June 2025.   🔍 Who can apply? Global health professionals, researchers, and advocates from the Global South with experience in pandemic preparedness and response.   📌 Deadline: 17th April 2025. For more information about each Fellowship, including how to apply, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e3bZDHxp

Could disease-fighting antigens produced in a type of fungus accelerate how quickly protein-based vaccines are developed? CEPI is providing US$4.5 million to Italy's Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena for proof-of-concept research that will explore whether producing antigens in C1 filamentous fungus—applying technology owned by Dyadic International, Inc.—is a faster and cost-effective alternative to the more established route of producing antigens in mammalian cells.  The partnership supports the 100 Days Mission—a goal embraced by leaders of the G7 and G20 to reduce vaccine development timelines to a little over three months in response to a pandemic threat. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekAjnCyC

We were delighted to last week meet with political and scientific leaders in Korea to discuss our aligned work in global health to advance pandemic preparedness efforts and the #100DaysMission 🇰🇷🌏 CEPI experts joined senior officials for a series of bilateral meetings and discussions with Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Kweon Ki-hwan, National Assembly member Cheol Soo Ahn and partners and organisations including the Korea Global Health Coalition, International Vaccine Institute (IVI), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, MFDS(Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) and SK bioscience. Korea is an important partner to CEPI, providing significant funding to push forward our fight against newly emerging infectious diseases and shorten vaccine development timelines to contain outbreaks before they spread to pandemic proportions. The country's world-leading biomedical sector remains integral to these efforts, with its pioneering scientific expertise, industrial capabilities and responsiveness and willingness of government partners progressing the fight against epidemic threats both domestically and around the world.