CEPI is launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) was launched at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The Coalition was founded by the governments of India and Norway, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Wellcome Trust. Initial investments were announced at the WEF from the governments of Germany, Japan, Norway, and the two participating foundations. Startup funding amounts to US$460 million.
Norway pledged NOK1 billion (around US$120 million) for the coming five-year period; Japan will contribute US$25 million a year over the next five years (totaling US$125 million); Germany announced a €10 million contribution (US$11 million) in 2017 with further allocations to be announced later. The Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will both invest US$100 million in the coming five years. India, one of the initiators of the coalition, is expected to announce its contribution shortly. The European Commission has announced its intention to co-finance actions with CEPI.
CEPI will work to develop vaccines against Lassa fever, MERS and Nipah, three diseases that have the potential to become major epidemics. The ambition is to have two candidate vaccines for each of these diseases tested within five years. The coalition will also make use of developments in adaptable vaccine technology to facilitate rapid vaccine development when unknown viruses strike.