The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) will commit $30 million to improve access to an Ebola virus vaccine. The project will be implemented by pharma giant MSD (Merck & Co. in the United States and Canada).
“With CEPI’s backing, the company will leverage Hilleman Laboratories, its joint venture with the Wellcome Trust, to upgrade the manufacturing process for the Ebola shot, aiming to make the vaccine more affordable for low- and middle-income countries,” the organization said in a press release.
The Ebola vaccine was developed by MSD during the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. Its manufacturing process is complex and potentially prone to supply chain disruptions, which directly impacts the drug’s cost. Furthermore, the vaccine must be stored in ultra-cold freezers at -70°C, making delivery to remote, resource-limited areas—where outbreaks typically occur—extremely difficult.
The project aims to solve these issues by advancing the current production process to increase product yield and improve thermostability, meaning the vaccine’s shelf life at standard refrigerator temperatures of 2°C to 8°C.
“Technical improvements will lower the vaccine’s cost and enable it to be stored in a standard refrigerator for several months, making outbreak vaccination much simpler,” CEPI stressed. Researchers also expect the updated process to simplify large-scale manufacturing of the shot, which is critical should the world face another major epidemic.
CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) is a global partnership with a mission to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases—the so-called “100 Days Mission.” Launched at the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos, the organization is funded by contributions from developed nations and private donations. Today, CEPI is a leading backer of rapid-response technologies. When an outbreak of a novel virus occurs, it is CEPI that grants funds to drugmakers to immediately begin vaccine trials.