Accelerating Vaccine Development in Crisis

When a mysterious coronavirus first emerged from Wuhan, China, in late 2019, CEPI swiftly jumped into action. Recognizing the urgent need for vaccines, they rapidly funded development initiatives, resulting in one of the largest portfolios of COVID-19 vaccines — seven of which have received international approval.

A Pioneering Email Sparks a Global Response

On January 20, 2020, Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, reached out to CEPI with a bold proposition: a million-dollar investment to kickstart the development of an innovative mRNA vaccine. Bancel, in Davos at the World Economic Forum, felt a wave of urgency as he witnessed the virus's alarming spread.

Although the virus had yet to be named, Moderna’s scientists were already working on a groundbreaking vaccine design. An immediate influx of funds from CEPI allowed them to create initial test batches, igniting the race against the pandemic.

The Power of Fast Action

CEPI's CEO, Dr. Richard Hatchett, made a game-changing decision in just seven minutes. Recognizing the critical need for rapid financial mobilization, CEPI invested just under $1 million to help Moderna take the first steps towards vaccine development. As Dr. Nicole Lurie, CEPI’s Executive Director of Preparedness and Response, states, “Starting early is the name of the game.”

Building a Robust Portfolio Against COVID-19

By January 23, 2020, with only 581 confirmed cases globally, CEPI had already initiated funding for three vaccine projects, including partnerships with American biotech Inovio and researchers at the University of Queensland.

Over the months that followed, CEPI's commitment skyrocketed, ultimately investing more than $1.5 billion across 14 different vaccine candidates, employing varied technologies from viral vectors to mRNA.

A Life-Saving Impact

Thanks to these rapid-response decisions, the success rate for approved vaccines now stands at 50%. Studies indicate that the deployment of these vaccines has been instrumental in saving millions of lives worldwide — nearly 20 million in their first year alone.

Moreover, through COVAX, a global vaccine-sharing initiative co-led by CEPI, an estimated 2.7 million lives were saved in low and middle-income countries, following the delivery of approximately 2 billion doses.

Vision for the Future: The 100 Days Mission

The lessons learned from the pandemic have spurred the establishment of the 100 Days Mission, an ambitious initiative aimed at drastically shortening vaccine development timelines to three months in the event of future health crises. This proactive strategy is designed to mitigate potential pandemics before they escalate.

Dr. Hatchett emphasizes the urgent need for effective pandemic response execution: “If we want to dream about preventing future pandemics, we must master the mechanics of response.”

Global Collaboration for a Safer Tomorrow

To achieve these goals, CEPI is rallying governments, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions worldwide to invest in innovative approaches that deliver pandemic-speed preparedness. The aspiration is clear: swift action today can stop future outbreaks from evolving into global emergencies.