NEWS

BioNTech and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) have announced a partnership to advance the development of mRNA-based vaccine candidates for the prevention of mpox.

The vaccine programme, BNT166, is part of BioNTech’s attempt to develop new prophylactic vaccines for various infectious diseases. As part of the partnership, CEPI will provide up to $90m in funding to support the development of the vaccine candidates.

This partnership forms part of CEPI’s 100 Days Mission, which is a goal to accelerate development of vaccines against possible future pandemic viruses so vaccines can be ready for regulatory authorisation and manufacturing at scale within 100 days of recognition of a pandemic pathogen.

Professor Ugur Sahin MD, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, commented: “Mpox can cause severe complications, particularly in children and pregnant women as well as in immunocompromised individuals. The global outbreak, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern, underlines the need for a highly effective, well-tolerated and accessible mpox vaccine. We initiated our BNT166 programme in May 2022 to help address this need. ”

Richard Hatchett MD, CEO of CEPI, added: “The 100 Days Mission aims to accelerate the development of a vaccine against a novel virus with pandemic potential to just 100 days, and BioNTech’s world-class scientists, technology and facilities can make a vital contribution.

 Achieving this mission, and potentially preventing the next pandemic, will require gathering a wealth of knowledge and data about the performance of the latest vaccine platforms, like mRNA, which can enable rapid responses to emerging infectious threats across a broad range of viruses.”