Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, has announced its partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global alliance of public, private and philanthropic organizations that aims to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.
The collaboration will enable SII to join a growing network of vaccine producers in the Global South that can support more rapid, agile and equitable responses to future public health emergencies caused by known or novel pathogens, such as Disease X.
Disease X is a hypothetical term used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe a new or unknown pathogen that could cause a serious international epidemic or pandemic.
CEPI is investing up to $30 million to enhance SII’s capacity for rapid vaccine supply during epidemics and pandemics. This will allow CEPI-backed vaccine developers to quickly transfer their technology to SII within days or weeks of an outbreak being recognized, and start large-scale production and distribution of affordable vaccines to affected populations.
The partnership will also support the development, stockpiling and licensure of new vaccines against CEPI’s priority pathogens, which include Lassa fever, Nipah, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya and others.
CEPI’s global manufacturing network
SII is the fourth member of CEPI’s global manufacturing network, which was created to expand the global footprint of vaccine production and ensure equitable access to outbreak vaccines for the Global South.
The other members are Aspen Pharmacare in South Africa, Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal, and Bio Farma in Indonesia.
The network is part of CEPI’s 100 Days Mission, which aims to develop new vaccines against known or novel infectious diseases within three months of a pandemic threat being identified. The mission has been endorsed by the G7, G20 and industry leaders.
CEPI and SII are exploring which CEPI-backed vaccines SII will support as part of the network.
Quotes from CEPI and SII
Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, said:
“As part of CEPI’s global manufacturing network, SII’s world-renowned manufacturing and rapid response capabilities are poised to play a critical role in enabling swift and equitable access to affordable outbreak vaccines for the Global South. Living in an era of heightened epidemic and pandemic risk, evidenced by the increasing prevalence, speed, and spread of outbreaks of infectious disease, we must prepare to confront these threats head-on to avoid another COVID-like catastrophe in the future.”
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII, said:
“As a leading vaccine manufacturer, we’re committed to utilizing our well-established manufacturing and rapid response capabilities to strengthen epidemic preparedness and increase access to life-saving vaccines for those who need them most at an affordable price. We are delighted to partner with CEPI and join their global network of vaccine producers that can support more rapid and agile responses to future disease outbreaks.”