CEPI and Pasteur Network partner to advance regional vaccine R&D and outbreak preparedness

April 20, 2026; OSLO; PARIS: The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Pasteur Network (PN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration on epidemic and pandemic preparedness, vaccine research, manufacturing and innovation.

CEPI and PN will work together to enhance regional capacity in vaccine research and development, clinical trials, biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory science, and manufacturing in support of equitable vaccine access. The partnership ultimately seeks to advance shared objectives in epidemic and pandemic preparedness for rapid and equitable access to vaccines during future public health emergencies. It will bring together CEPI’s vaccine development expertise and networks and the Pasteur Network’s strengths in global disease surveillance and locally embedded research capacity, particularly in the Global South.

“By joining forces with the Pasteur Network, CEPI can connect with trusted, locally embedded institutions to accelerate vaccine development and readiness. Together, we will strengthen scientific collaboration, share best practices, and build sustainable regional capacity to accelerate vaccine development and improve the world’s ability to respond rapidly and equitably to emerging outbreaks, wherever they may occur.”

Dr Richard Hatchett, CEPI’s Chief Executive Officer

“By deepening our collaboration with CEPI, the Pasteur Network can connect its diverse, regionally embedded institutions with the tools and partnerships needed to accelerate vaccine innovation. Together, we will expand clinical trial capacity, advance manufacturing capabilities, and reinforce the scientific infrastructure that gives every country a stake — and a role — in protecting the world from epidemic and pandemic threats”

Dr. Rebecca Grais, Pasteur Network’s Executive Director

The MoU establishes a framework for potential collaboration across priority areas, including:

• Epidemiology and data science: enhancing modelling, analytics, and early-warning platforms.
• Laboratory research and innovations: leveraging pre-clinical and laboratory networks to support vaccine testing and development.
• Clinical trials: expanding capacity for Phase II/III studies in disease-endemic regions.
• Biosecurity: strengthening safe laboratory practices and outbreak containment readiness.
• Process development and manufacturing: advancing technology transfer, mRNA vaccine capabilities, and scalable manufacturing networks.
• Quality: broadening collaboration with Pasteur Network across all Good Practice disciplines.
• Preparedness and response: supporting the execution of 100 Days Mission exercises and sharing lessons learned.

Building on existing collaborations, including with Senegal’s Institut Pasteur de Dakar and Brazil’s Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz—both members of CEPI’s Vaccine Manufacturing Facility Network and the Pasteur Network—the partnership aims to reduce fragmentation in regional research and development efforts, accelerate vaccine development pathways, and strengthen systems for clinical trials and regulatory confidence. Shared efforts will also advance equitable access to vaccines and innovative solutions to global health challenges.

This framework also enables CEPI and the Pasteur Network to explore emerging opportunities in vaccine design, mRNA technologies, and multi-institute networks for manufacturing and clinical research, with a particular focus on institutions in Africa and other Global South regions. Activities could include staff training, protocol standardisation, workshops, and network-wide coordination to reinforce both scientific quality and operational resilience.

Going forward, CEPI and the Pasteur Network will hold regular consultations to monitor progress, align on public health priorities, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.