CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)’s Post

📣CEPI and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launch search for expert epidemic modellers   Infectious disease modelling is instrumental in understanding the impact that new and fast-spreading viruses could have on societies and helping to inform public health response.   To make sure the world is better prepared for future infectious disease outbreaks, CEPI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are supporting a new network of infectious diseases modellers in the Global South that could provide rapid epidemic modelling to inform the response to future infectious disease threats. The partner group will be known as the Global South leaders in Epidemic Analytics and Response Network or GS LEARN.   To build the network, CEPI and the Gates Foundation are first on the search for experts to offer training and mentorship activities to researchers and professionals in the Global South on epidemic and pandemic data analytics and infectious disease modelling. More information and details on how to apply are available on the CEPI website. Applications close 15 January 2025 ▶ https://bit.ly/3BxNR0B

📣 CEPI’s CEO Richard Hatchett has been awarded the prestigious The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon from the Government of Japan 🇯🇵 The award, one of the highest national accolades awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions to society, was celebrated at a ceremony today in London, UK. His Excellency, Hajime Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to the UK, praised Dr Hatchett for his exemplary leadership and collaboration made with Japan and the world to address recent global health challenges and help develop Japan's global health policy. 👉https://bit.ly/3NaBtX0

📣 We're expanding Enable, the world's largest Lassa fever research programme. The new research, led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and local sites, will run as a year-long study designed to get a better idea of the variation in Lassa disease symptoms and how these compare to malaria and other worrisome infections found in the region. The study will take place in Nigeria, as well as Sierra Leone and Liberia in later weeks. “Insights gained on the diversity of disease symptoms will enhance our understanding of Lassa fever, categorised into mild, moderate or severe cases" explains CEPI CEO Richard Hatchett. "This information will be crucial in guiding where and how future late-stage vaccine trials are conducted and determining priority groups for receiving the Lassa vaccine once it becomes licensed in the coming years.” Discover more: https://lnkd.in/ggYaZtbS 📸 Pictured, Mrs Elsie Ilori, Enable National Project Coordinator, Nigeria, at today's launch meeting

The September issue of CEPI Updates & Insights has just landed 🗞️ Featuring highlights from the GPPS 2024 Outcomes Report, the launch of CEPI's Biosecurity Strategy at #UNGA79, the latest instalment of The Viral Most Wanted and plenty more. If you want to stay on top of the latest developments in the fight to end pandemics, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter if you haven't already ⬇️

Rift Valley fever, part of the Phenuivirus family, is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease, most commonly affecting domesticated animals, like cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. It can also cause human infections and outbreaks. Symptoms are often mild, but it can progress into severe haemorrhagic disease, and in these cases, it can be fatal in up to 50% of people. Rift Valley fever is just one such Phenuivirus that can cause human infection… ➡️ Learn more about this viral family, including how its members operate, who they affect, and the lines of enquiry being pursued to help stop future outbreaks: https://lnkd.in/esdTR4Xy 🔎 Discover The Viral Most Wanted series: https://lnkd.in/ez_rvJm8

What innovations are happening in global health right now? A new Devex report names monoclonal antibodies—mAbs—as a key innovation driving progress in global health. The report highlights how mAbs can be deployed during an outbreak, as well as CEPI's recent investment in Nipah mAb development (https://lnkd.in/ezk7vf6Y). If you want to know more about the role of mAbs alongside vaccines in ending pandemic threats, check out our illustrated blog: https://lnkd.in/ecYuh_vP Alongside using #AI to prepare for #DiseaseX, novel vaccine development, including the use of RNA, is also listed in the report as another health innovation. CEPI's CEO, Richard Hatchett, explains in the report how AI can accelerate vaccine innovation, highlighting CEPI's recent investment in Apriori Bio's AI platform, which could help to design variant-resilient vaccines against evolving viruses (https://lnkd.in/eS62arp2) Hatchett also discusses how diversifying vaccine manufacturing capabilities in the Global South will help to increase access and avoid some of the tragic inequities seen during COVID-19. Download the full report to discover more about these global health innovations ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eKwS8WmE

💡 In an era of heightened epidemic and pandemic risk, the world must remain vigilant and be able to respond quickly to infectious disease outbreaks wherever they occur.   To support these efforts, we today launched our new Biosecurity Strategy, published during #UNGA, aimed at bolstering global health security and underscoring our commitment to tackling emerging epidemic threats, whether they arise naturally, accidentally or through deliberate misuse.   “To ensure the world can achieve the 100 Days Mission goal safely and securely, we need a robust, collaborative approach to maximising the benefits of new technologies and reducing their potential threats to human health” explains Jane Halton, Chair of the CEPI Board.   Supported by funding from Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, the strategy considers using advanced technologies like AI to advance vaccine development, alongside taking measures to prevent the misuse of biological research. At the heart of the strategy is the drive to advance biosecurity and biosafety in support of equity.   As well as embedding our own biosecurity strategy into our operations, we urge other life science research funders and the wider global health community to work together to tackle the complex challenges posed by emerging biological threats. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/ei4yxFbk

ICYMI: Last week, CEPI and partners published the GPPS 2024 Outcomes Report - featuring key recommendations to emerge from the 2-day Summit hosted in Rio de Janeiro, earlier this year. Check it out ⬇️