A viral family approach to beating pandemics
CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)
We want to stop future epidemics by developing new vaccines for a safer world.
The viruses that have historically put humanity at the greatest risk come from a number of specific viral families—about 25 of them—that are known to be able to infect people. It’s from one of these families that the next potential pandemic disease threat—the next Disease X—will likely emerge.
That’s why scientists all over the world are pursuing The Viral Most Wanted. Working within CEPI’s Disease X programmes, the World Health Organization’s Pathogen Family Framework and other coordinated projects, they are in a race to get ahead of the next viral threat. From the Arenavirus family to the Poxvirus family, and from the Flaviviruses to the Hantaviruses to the Filoviruses, these groups harbour some of the most fearsome current and future viral attackers.
Some of the viruses in these Most Wanted families can already be prevented or treated with vaccines or therapies. Many others can’t. Fortunately, by taking a viral family approach, the world doesn’t need to develop countermeasures against each and every one of these viruses. Instead, by using representative viruses within viral families, experts can hone their technical expertise and deepen their understanding of how to counter several or all current and future members of that family—developing knowledge that can be quickly adapted to novel emerging viruses.
The Viral Most Wanted series, by CEPI’s Chief Scientific Writer Kate Kelland, is guided by this viral family approach. This engaging and accessible series—complemented by graphic visuals—guides the reader through current knowledge on the most threatening viral families, including their prime suspects, how they spill over from animals to infect people and, crucially, the lines of enquiry being pursued to prevent some of these pernicious pathogens from wreaking havoc on humanity. ?
R&D and manufacturing news
CEPI is providing $5 million to German biotech company Ethris in support of proof-of-concept research to develop spray-dried RNA vaccines that remain stable at room temperature and are suitable for mucosal delivery. The technology could help increase equitable access to RNA-based vaccines.?
A new partnership between CEPI and France-based DNA Script will advance the company’s capability to automate the manufacture of synthetic DNA templates—the starting blueprint required for producing mRNA—to speed up vaccine development in support of the 100 Days Mission.
A CEPI-supported research study in Rwanda aims to uncover critical insights into how the human body responds to Marburg Virus infection and guide the development of new tests, treatments and vaccines. Led by Rwanda Biomedical Centre, the study will invite individuals who have recovered from Marburg Virus infection, along with their close contacts, to participate in pioneering research that will advance understanding of the immune responses and how the virus operates and persists in the body.
Bringing together emerging and senior leaders in biosecurity
At this year’s Munich Security Conference CEPI, Brown Pandemic Center and the Nuclear Threat Initiative, in partnership with Foreign Policy, hosted a roundtable:?Mission Possible! Fast-tracking biosecurity and the 100 Days Mission with next generation leaders across the Global South.
The session brought together global health leaders, including the WHO’s?Jeremy Farrar,?Wellcome Trust’s John-Arne R?ttingen, Pandemic Action Network’s Eloise Todd, and others, alongside 12 Global South biosecurity rising leaders, including Brown Pandemic Center Biosecurity Game Changers Fellows.
The inspiring discussion, moderated by Chair of CEPI Board Jane Halton and the Right Honourable?Helen Clark, focused on innovative solutions towards achieving the 100 Days Mission safely, securely and rapidly. Following this discussion, the rising leaders issued a?declaration outlining their commitment to driving progress across generations and geographies, which CEPI is proud to support.
CEPI’s Global South Fellowship – the halfway point
In mid-2024 CEPI welcomed its inaugural Global South Fellows. The Fellowship Programme 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.
Halfway through the year-long fellowship, we caught up with some of CEPI’s Global South Fellows to discuss their experiences so far.?
Southeast Asian leadership in global health security ?
CEPI CEO Dr Richard Hatchett had the chance to explore Bio Farma’s state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facilities first-hand in Bandung, Indonesia, this month.
CEPI has a 10-year partnership with Bio Farma?to bring cutting-edge mRNA and viral vector rapid response vaccine manufacturing technologies to Indonesia and the ASEAN region.
“The strong partnership between CEPI and Bio Farma helps position Indonesia as a regional hub for better health security in Southeast Asia. With these advanced manufacturing capabilities, it will be possible to respond to future outbreaks with rapid and equitable access to potentially life-saving vaccines for the people of the region," said Dr Hatchett during his visit.
?? Learn more ?
While in the region, Dr Hatchett also had the opportunity to meet with the Secretary-General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), YBhg. Dato' Ts. Dr. Hj. Aminuddin Bin Hassim, where they discussed strategic efforts in vaccine development and Malaysia’s continued support for the 100 Days Mission.
?? Learn more
The manufacturing innovations helping to beat future pandemics
What do a coffee pod, a pen, a moth chrysalis and a plant have to do with solving vaccine access challenges? These are some of the ordinary things inspiring extraordinary solutions to accelerate how quickly vaccines against future viral threats could be manufactured and deployed to those in need. CEPI has invested in 15 proof-of-concept vaccine manufacturing innovations in a bid to produce vaccine platforms that can deliver the 100 Days Mission. And the inspiration behind these new technologies has come from some wholly unexpected places.
Hear from Algenex CEO José Escribano as he discusses the progress of its CEPI-funded project, which uses moth chrysalises as a living bioreactor to speed up the vaccine development process.
Celebrating women and girls in science
Each year, 11 February marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science. To mark the occasion, we caught up with CEPI Deputy CEO Aurélia Nguyen to discuss her career as a woman in science. In her reflections, Aurelia describes her own personal eureka moment: the realisation that the driving force of her career is not so much about doing science, but more about enabling greater access to the fruits of science—including protective, life-saving vaccines. She also shares the best career advice she's received and discusses how we can begin to inspire more girls and women to make scientific progress part of their future.
?? Read the Q&A blog ??
Hear from other CEPI women scientists, too ??
DISEASE X – The 100 Days Mission to End Pandemics
“A bold and credible roadmap for how to be ready to better respond to future pandemic threats and, ultimately, to end pandemics" - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
It’s been just two years since the publication of DISEASE X – The 100 Days Mission to End Pandemics. Now, against a backdrop of persistent new and re-emerging viral disease outbreaks, the book’s message rings as true as ever. This pacy and engaging book ultimately spreads a hopeful message about humanity’s battles with infectious disease threats. With better preparation, greater investment and global cooperation, it really is possible to face down the next potential pandemic within 100 Days.
100 Words On… Biosecurity and pandemic preparedness
CEPI’s?Biosecurity Strategy —supported by funding from Global Affairs Canada—aims to bolster global health security, underscoring its commitment to tackling emerging epidemic and pandemic threats, whether they occur naturally, accidentally or through deliberate misuse. Central to the Strategy is the 100 Days Mission, which aims to drastically reduce the time required to respond to new, potentially catastrophic outbreaks, regardless of how they arise. From strengthening biosafety and biosecurity risk management and capabilities to accelerating biosafety and biosecurity innovation for vaccine R&D, the Strategy seeks to maximise the benefits of new technologies while reducing any potential threats to human health.
???Open Calls for Proposals
?? Reading corner
?? Reading corner: The Viral Most Wanted edition.
Follow CEPI's work
To stay up to date with CEPI's latest announcements as they happen, follow us on social media.
Explore more at www.cepi.net
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to CEPI's newsletter, CEPI Updates & Insights, to learn about the latest advances in the fight to end pandemics as it's published. Packed with announcements, editorial content, funding opportunities and more – our monthly newsletter covers it all.
?? Subscribe
Professor of Molecular Virology
1 周Is there a way to download the Most Wanted series as PDFs ?