CEPI Networks: Centralised Labs and Preclinical Models
CEPI has set up two networks for researchers to assess their vaccine candidates under development:
- Centralised Labs Network
- Preclinical Models Network
Centralised Labs Network
Comparing immune responses against different COVID-19 vaccine candidates is challenging. To provide a more uniform evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in preclinical and clinical testing (up to Phase II), CEPI established a Centralised Labs Network, located across multiple regions globally, using the same testing reagents and following common protocols to measure the immunogenicity of multiple COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
The network is open for use to all COVID-19 vaccine developers (both CEPI-supported and non-CEPI-funded vaccine developers).
In order to monitor interest and adjust the testing capacity, we are requesting that all COVID-19 vaccine developers interested in using CEPI’s centralised laboratory network, please complete this short survey.
For any COVID-19 vaccine developer ready to submit their samples to the network, please complete this form.
Preclinical models network
CEPI has established a network of high-containment laboratories (BSL-3 and -4) for testing of vaccines against our priority pathogens in preclinical models.
Our laboratory partners have been selected based on their scientific excellence, their robust quality systems, and their strong ethical practices. To date, we have established partnership agreements with UK Health Security Agency, NIBSC, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), University of Pittsburgh, Boston University National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), and CSIRO, and have a number of other partnerships under negotiation.
CEPI commissions the laboratories to establish preclinical models of infection/disease. These preclinical models are made available to CEPI-supported vaccine developers to test their vaccine candidates. This will allow vaccine developers to have their candidates rapidly assessed. It also allows CEPI and potential future vaccine regulators to be sure that the vaccine has been assessed in its early stages under rigorous quality standards.
The majority of the work in this area has focused on preclinical models for COVID-19, but we have also commissioned work on Nipah, Lassa fever, and Chikungunya, and will look to start work on MERS, and Rift Valley fever preclinical models in the near future.