Serum Institute, CEPI Join Forces to Tackle H5N1 Threat

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has partnered with the Serum Institute of India (SII) Pvt. Ltd. the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and part of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group to strengthen global pandemic preparedness.

The collaboration focuses on developing a baculovirus-based vaccine platform targeting H5N1 bird flu, which will serve as a prototype for responding to a potential “Disease X,” an unidentified pathogen with pandemic potential.

Also Read: Vidal Health, Serum Institute Partner for HPV Vaccine Access

Backed by up to US$16.4 million in CEPI funding, SII will leverage its proven baculovirus technology to manufacture and evaluate two recombinant protein vaccine candidates featuring H5 antigens: a wild-type version and an AI-designed, broad-spectrum H5 antigen created by researchers at the Houston Methodist Research Institute.

The broad-spectrum design aims to trigger immune protection against multiple H5 virus strains, enhancing readiness for unpredictable outbreaks.

This collaboration will test the baculovirus platform’s capacity to rapidly generate new antigens in response to H5 viruses, effectively simulating an accelerated reaction to emerging pandemic threats.

It will also demonstrate how AI can be used to design vaccine antigens that stimulate broad and robust immune protection. Antigens, proteins that activate the body’s immune system response are essential components of effective vaccines.

“This new project which deepens our collaboration with SII, one of CEPI’s preferred vaccine manufacturing partners, is designed to power up global readiness to tackle pandemic threats, from early-stage vaccine development through to global manufacturer and supply,” said Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI.