Post by CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)

This week in Paris, partners from across the globe came together for the R&D Funders’ Medical Countermeasures Roundtable, hosted by Institut Pasteur, the Pasteur Network and co-chaired with CEPI and ANRS-MIE. Bringing together more than 30 organisations, the discussion focused on the shared challenge of how to strengthen collaboration to build readiness, accelerate and improve the cost-effectiveness of vaccine and therapeutics development and how to make them equitably accessible. From connecting R&D networks for greater impact to exploring the role of AI and its responsible use to reinforcing how R&D funders and implementers must contribute to public confidence in vaccines, the discussion reflected the breadth of what readiness to respond to epidemics and pandemics requires. The conversations were underscored by a clear understanding that no single country or region, funder or agency can deliver readiness and rapid response alone. Progress depends on collaboration built around shared challenges, common principles and a commitment to access. That’s what makes the recent signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between CEPI and the Pasteur Network particularly timely (https://lnkd.in/enGXNfzt). This partnership aims to strengthen collaboration on vaccine R&D, manufacturing and innovation to support faster, more equitable access in future health emergencies.