SII joins CEPI global network to boost production of affordable outbreak vaccines

The Serum Institute of India (SII), is joining a CEPI network of vaccine producers in the Global South to support more rapid, agile, and equitable responses to future public health disease outbreaks.

The addition of SII to the CEPI manufacturing network will be a significant boost to vaccine production efforts in Global South regions and will mean the world is better prepared to achieve the 100 Days Mission to develop new vaccines against known or novel infectious diseases within three months of a pandemic threat being recognised.

CEPI is investing up to $30 million to expand the company’s existing capabilities to swiftly supply investigational vaccines in the face of epidemic and pandemic threats.

This would then enable CEPI-backed vaccine developers to quickly transfer their technology to SII within days or weeks of an outbreak to begin rapid production and distribution of vaccines to affected populations.

Created by CEPI to expand the global footprint of vaccine production, the manufacturing network focuses on vaccine makers in the Global South near areas at high risk of outbreaks caused by deadly viral threats like Lassa Fever, Nipah, Disease X, and other pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential prioritised by CEPI. SII may be called upon to promptly supply investigational vaccines for preclinical and clinical testing as well as large-scale supply in case of an outbreak.

With CEPI’s funding, SII will also support the development, stockpiling and licensure of new vaccines against CEPI’s priority pathogens. CEPI and SII are exploring which CEPI-backed vaccines SII will support.

SII becomes the fourth member of CEPI’s global manufacturing network. Other members include Aspen in South Africa, Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal, and Bio Farma in Indonesia.