NORWAY — The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has recently appointed nine new experts to its Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), a crucial external group offering guidance and recommendations on research and development initiatives and broader outbreak response efforts.

These additions have received approval from the CEPI Board, marking a significant step in strengthening the SAC.

The new members of the SAC include:

  • Vincent Ahonkhai – Principal, Gwynedd Consultancy Group, LLC, USA
  • Rick A. Bright – CEO/Founder, Bright Global Health, USA
  • Assistant Professor Yunlong Cao – Assistant Professor, Peking University, China
  • Professor Glenda E. Gray – President and CEO, South African Medical Research Council, South Africa
  • Professor Amine Kamen – Professor, McGill University, Canada
  • Gary Kobinger – Director, Galveston National Laboratory/Institute for Drug Discovery, University of Texas Medical Branch, USA
  • Marie-José Quentin-Millet – Independent Consultant, MJQuentinMillet Consulting, France
  • Lynda Stuart – Executive Director/CEO, Institute for Protein Design, USA
  • Professor George Warimwe – Deputy Executive Director, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya, and Professor of Vaccinology, University of Oxford, UK

These new members will play a pivotal role in supporting CEPI’s mission by providing valuable scientific insights and advice as part of the CEPI 2.0 strategy.

The strategy is aimed at accelerating the development of vaccines and countermeasures for emerging infectious diseases and strengthening global preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics.

The SAC’s expertise will play a vital role in the ongoing implementation of CEPI’s 2.0 strategy, which is dedicated to accelerating the development of vaccines and biological countermeasures for addressing emerging infectious diseases.

As the landscape of vaccine development and manufacturing rapidly evolves, CEPI launched a recruitment drive in June 2023 to enlist experts and global health professionals with extensive experience in relevant scientific and product development disciplines.

The appointment of these nine new SAC members follows a thorough review process based on expertise, experience, and geographical representation.

CEPI’s Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Hanon, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming these distinguished members, recognizing the importance of broadening the group’s expertise to address the ever-evolving vaccine development and manufacturing landscape.

This diversity of perspectives and experience is expected to greatly benefit the SAC and CEPI’s mission.

CEPI’s CEO, Richard Hatchett, emphasized the vital role of scientific knowledge and excellence in CEPI’s work.

The guidance provided by the members of the SAC is essential to CEPI’s success, particularly in their mission to achieve the “100 Days Mission,” endorsed by the G7 and G20.

This mission aims to develop globally accessible vaccines against new threats in just 100 days, significantly reducing the risk of future pandemics.

The SAC operates as an independent body within CEPI, focusing on scientific input, recommendations, and advisory functions.

The committee meets regularly to provide guidance on various vaccine-related issues and support the effective implementation of CEPI’s strategic goals. SAC members serve three-year terms, and renewals are possible.

CEPI has been instrumental in the development of over 30 vaccine candidates against priority pathogens and played a central role in the global response to COVID-19.

The organization continues to lead research into broadly protective coronavirus vaccines, while also investing in rapid response platforms for addressing potential future pandemics.

CEPI’s five-year plan for 2022-2026 is designed to significantly reduce the risk of pandemics and epidemics, with the ultimate goal of containing outbreaks within 100 days to prevent global pandemics.

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