Norway-based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and US-based nonprofit global health organisation PATH have announced a renewed collaboration to accelerate the rapid development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases, and in support of CEPI’s 100 Days Mission, a goal to reduce the time taken to develop safe and effective vaccines against pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential to 100 days.

Under the terms of the CEPI-PATH Implementing Partnership Agreement, PATH will help CEPI continue to enhance its capacities for project design and management, implementation, coordination and operational oversight. In doing so, PATH will also work with CEPI partners to provide such services that enable the rapid development of vaccines against pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential, from proof of concept through to licensure.

PATH will work across multiple CEPI-funded projects, including providing strategic, technical and scientific support for the clinical and manufacturing development process of vaccines, boosting innovative technology development, and facilitating capacity-strengthening initiatives that enhance local resources to help establish or improve research preparedness and emergency evidence generation for future outbreaks.

In addition, to help ensure adequate vaccine uptake in the event of an outbreak, PATH will collaborate with CEPI to enhance support for communication and advocacy activities in low-resource communities affected by relevant pathogens.