The Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Foundation pledged $300 million to the Alliance for Innovation in Epidemic Preparedness

BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- On January 19, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Foundation each pledged to donate US$150 million, or US$300 million, to the Alliance for Innovation in Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate preparedness for other epidemics. The two foundations call on global leaders to support the Coalition for Innovation in Epidemic Preparedness to end the COVID-19 crisis, prepare for future global pandemics, and address other pandemic threats.

CEPI is a global partnership established five years ago and co-sponsored by the governments of Norway and India, the Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Foundation and the World Economic Forum.

Since its inception, CEPI has played a central role in global R&D in curbing epidemics, leading scientific breakthroughs and making pandemic preparedness a top priority on the global health R&D agenda. Immediately after the outbreak of COVID-19, CEPI responded by establishing the world's largest and most diverse pool of candidate COVID-19 vaccines. Three of CEPI's 14 covid-19 vaccine candidates have been approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization, and CEPI will continue to fund the development of six vaccines.

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, said: "The world is still grappling with the challenge posed by a rapidly evolving virus and is now more urgent than ever in need of new life-saving tools. The Gates Foundation's work over the past 20 years has taught us that investing in research and development early can save lives and prevent the worst. Today, we renew our commitment to provide CEPI with an additional $150 million to help it accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines to combat emerging novel coronavirus variants and prevent or even prevent the next pandemic outbreak. ”

Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Chairman of the Wellcome Foundation, said: "The biggest lesson we have learned from this COVID-19 pandemic is that the world needs to build efficient organizations and systems before a crisis strikes, and act quickly based on credible scientific evidence when a crisis is inevitable. The new $150 million commitment comes from our belief that CEPI has great potential to protect lives from future emerging infectious diseases. Dr Farah also said, "The impact of the new crown epidemic is sobering. We urge global leaders to provide support to ensure CEPI meets its funding targets. It is in the common interest of the world to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to help our children and grandchildren prepare for epidemics. ”

Awa Marie Coll Seck, Minister of State for the President of the Republic of Senegal, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that inequities in access to vaccines can put the world at risk and undermine decades of global health progress. Innovative global partnerships like CEPI play a key role in advancing the research and development needed to prepare for future pandemics. Importantly, investment in vaccine technologies, particularly in Africa, has helped to accelerate research and development for other diseases, such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which continue to affect the world's most vulnerable populations. ”

Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, said: "The world must do more to better protect everyone in every corner from the major health threats posed by COVID-19 and other diseases. CEPI's investment in groundbreaking R&D, its commitment to equitable access, and its collaboration with the public and private sectors are crucial in this effort. We call on global leaders to help CEPI meet its $3.5 billion funding target. ”

The COVID-19 pandemic has rebounded several times around the world, highlighting the important role of international organizations, including CEPI, whose core mission is equitable access. The latest data from Northeastern University in the United States shows that if the supply of vaccines in low-income countries such as Kenya can reach similar levels as in high-income countries such as the United Kingdom or the United States, 70% of the deaths caused by COVID-19 to date can be avoided. (End)

Source: China News Network