CEPI and Pasteur Network partner to advance regional vaccine R&D and outbreak preparedness
CEPI and the Pasteur Network have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand collaboration on epidemic and pandemic preparedness, vaccine research, manufacturing, and innovation, with the aim of supporting rapid and equitable access to vaccines during future public health emergencies.
Announced on April 20, 2026 in Oslo and Paris, this new framework strengthens cooperation between CEPI and the Pasteur Network across key areas of vaccine research and development. The partnership is designed to enhance regional capacity in clinical trials, biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory science, and manufacturing, while reinforcing equitable vaccine access.
By combining CEPI’s vaccine development expertise and global networks with the Pasteur Network’s strengths in disease surveillance and locally embedded research capacity, particularly in the Global South, the collaboration seeks to accelerate vaccine development and improve readiness for future outbreaks.
The Memorandum of Understanding sets out priority areas for potential collaboration and builds on existing work involving institutions such as Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal and Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz in Brazil. The partnership aims to reduce fragmentation in regional research and development efforts, strengthen systems for clinical trials and regulatory confidence, and advance equitable access to vaccines and innovative solutions to global health challenges.
The framework also opens the door to exploring emerging opportunities in vaccine design, mRNA technologies, and multi-institute networks for manufacturing and clinical research, with particular attention to institutions in Africa and other Global South regions. Planned activities may include staff training, protocol standardisation, workshops, and network-wide coordination to reinforce both scientific quality and operational resilience.
CEPI and the Pasteur Network will continue the collaboration through regular consultations to monitor progress, align on public health priorities, and explore new opportunities for joint action.
Key collaboration areas
- Epidemiology and data science, including modelling, analytics, and early-warning platforms
- Laboratory research and innovation to support vaccine testing and development
- Expansion of Phase II/III clinical trial capacity in disease-endemic regions
- Biosecurity and safe laboratory practices for outbreak containment readiness
- Process development and manufacturing, including technology transfer, mRNA vaccine capabilities, and scalable manufacturing networks
- Quality collaboration across Good Practice disciplines
- Preparedness and response support, including 100 Days Mission exercises and lessons learned
Details
Organisers: CEPI and the Pasteur Network
Objective: To expand collaboration on epidemic and pandemic preparedness, vaccine research, manufacturing, and innovation in support of rapid and equitable vaccine access.
Key topics: Epidemic preparedness, pandemic preparedness, vaccine R&D, clinical trials, biosafety, biosecurity, laboratory science, manufacturing, mRNA technologies, equitable access
Date: April 20, 2026
More information: Read the full announcement