Malaysia joins CEPI, donating US$3 million to advance vaccine R&D
Malaysia has today announced funding of US$ 3 million to CEPI to help support CEPI's work to advance the development of vaccines against emerging epidemic threats. As the COVID-19 shows, global collaboration is critical to quickly and effectively responding to the current pandemic and to future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases.
The financial commitment, which will be provided through Malaysia's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) over the next three-year period (2021-2023), was announced today at a virtual signing ceremony attended by YBhg. Datuk Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Secretary General of MOSTI, and Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI.
A coordinated, international, and intergovernmental response is needed to tackle the global threat posed by emerging infectious diseases. It is my honour to welcome Malaysia to the coalition and support our vaccine R&D programmes so that we are better prepared to respond to outbreaks across both South East Asia and the world. Through our collaborative efforts, we can work towards our vision to make epidemic threats no longer a threat to humanity.
Never before has the goal to leave no one behind been more important than it is now. Through Malaysia's collaboration with CEPI, we pledge our commitment to support the development and equitable access to vaccines. We are honoured to be part of the global partnership and, through our efforts, will be able to achieve even more and will continue to develop even stronger networks between Malaysia and CEPI.
Attendees of the signing ceremony at MOSTI headquarters
The Government of Malaysia joins a growing body of global partners coming together to accelerate the development against emerging infectious diseases. In addition to COVID-19, Malaysia's financial contribution will support CEPI's programmes focussed on advancing vaccine candidates against its priority diseases with epidemic potential including Chikungunya, Ebola, Lassa fever, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Nipah, Rift Valley fever. The funding will also further CEPI's investments in platform technologies — novel innovations with the aim of quickly speeding up the development of vaccines to rapidly respond to future outbreaks of known and unknown emerging disease threats (known as ‘Disease X').
Malaysia also last week joined COVAX, a global initiative co-led by CEPI, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization (WHO), working to ensure the globally fair allocation of 2 billion doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021 to end the acute phase of the pandemic.
With the UK and Norway working as COVAX partners and established coalition members within CEPI, H.E. Mr. Charles Hay, High Commissioner of the British High Commission, and H.E. Ms. Gunn Jorid Roset, Ambassador of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Malaysia, were also in attendance at the virtual signing ceremony to discuss the new partnership.
Beyond the health impacts, COVID-19 is causing enormous economic damage. For economies to recover, the pandemic needs to end, and vaccines, of course, are the light at the end of that tunnel. That's why I am delighted to witness Malaysia joining CEPI which will benefit Malaysia and, of course, people around the globe. We cannot defeat this pandemic alone and this is why joining CEPI makes total sense. CEPI offers innovative and collaborative approaches which are not replicated elsewhere.
No one is safe until everyone is safe. CEPI is an innovative and multilateral solution for epidemic and pandemic threats. I congratulate Malaysia on the important event today.
CEPI's current portfolio of investments in vaccine candidates is available here.
For further information on supporting CEPI's efforts, please visit our Get Involved page.
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