CEPI and Samsung Biologics Partner for Vaccine Preparedness

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Samsung Biologics have announced a partnership to bolster vaccine manufacturing readiness for future epidemics and pandemics. Samsung Biologics will join CEPI's Vaccine Manufacturing Facility Network (VMFN) to accelerate the availability of protein-based vaccines and ensure equitable access, particularly for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). An initial budget of up to US$20 million will support the establishment of a scalable, rapid manufacturing process for recombinant-protein vaccines, leveraging Samsung Biologics' mammalian cell-based infrastructure. Samsung Biologics will also conduct a simulated outbreak response exercise using H5 influenza as a prototype pathogen, recommended by the International===World Health Organization, to demonstrate its end-to-end capabilities. Under the agreement, Samsung Biologics will provide CEPI with guaranteed access to up to 50 million vaccine doses and an additional one billion doses of drug substance, while also meeting South Korea's national needs. This collaboration supports CEPI's '100 Days Mission' and expands the VMFN's technological and geographical reach, with Samsung Biologics becoming the first East Asian partner.