Post by CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)

Yesterday, CEPI convened The Global Vaccine Manufacturing Summit 2026 in London. For the first time financing institutions, vaccine developers, regulators, manufacturers, philanthropies and global health partners, all came together in one room, to discuss how the ambition of geographic diversification and sustainable manufacturing can become a reality. The escalating Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda was the backdrop of this summit, serving as a stark reminder that everyday counts when it comes to developing, financing and manufacturing vaccines that could help bring epidemics like this to an end. In a keynote entitled “Ready or Not: The Next Pandemic Is Incubating”, Trevor Mundel (President of Global Health at the Gates Foundation) explored the potential for AI to enable regional vaccine manufacturing. Sir Peter Piot, co-discoverer of the Ebola virus and Special Advisor to the European Commission President, opened proceedings by moderating a powerful panel on the policy priorities shaping the future of vaccine manufacturing. And WHO's Hanan Balkhy shared a clear-eyed intervention on equity, the realities of reaching displaced populations, and the growing drive for regional health sovereignty. Across the day, conversations covered topics related to: 🏭 Sustainable, regionally distributed vaccine manufacturing 🪙 Innovative and blended financing to keep facilities "warm" between outbreaks 🧾 Regulatory readiness and harmonisation as a core part of the 100 Days Mission 🧠The role of AI and new technologies in accelerating vaccine development and manufacture A defining moment came when partners of CEPI's Vaccine Manufacturing Facility Network (VMFN) signed a new Charter: deepening cooperation and collaboration, and strengthening our collective outbreak-response readiness. The network spans manufacturing partners across Brazil (Fiocruz), Senegal (Institut Pasteur de Dakar), the Republic of Korea (Samsung Biologics), India (Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.), Indonesia (Bio Farma - Indonesia), and South Africa (Aspen Pharma Group).    Thank you to every speaker, panellist and partner who joined us in person and online. The real work to turn these ideas and connections into concrete action starts now...