The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has joined forces with vaccine safety organization Brighton Collaboration on a new project dedicated to assessing the safety of CEPI-funded vaccine candidates.
The project has been dubbed the Safety Platform for Emergency vACcines (SPEAC). Over the next two years, it will operate on $2.16 million of funding, and work its way through CEPI’s sizeable funded portfolio. It will begin its focus on vaccines dedicated to Lassa Fever and MERS.
“We are delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with the Brighton Collaboration,” Melanie Saville, director of CEPI’s vaccine development, said. “Access to the collective experience and scientific insights of their global network of vaccine experts will ensure high-quality safety monitoring for CEPI’s growing portfolio of vaccines.”
Under the auspices of the SPEAC, Brighton will analyze the safety profiles of various vaccines, providing safety expertise to the independent data safety monitoring boards that oversee each clinical trial. This will be enhanced through an online tool that will include technical guidance, training modules, and a platform for exchanging information. SPEAC will also work with vaccine developers for feedback.
“For nearly 20 years, the Brighton Collaboration has established itself as an independent, trusted source of scientific information on the safety of vaccines,” Robert Chen, scientific director of the Brighton Collaboration and project lead, said. “We look forward to contributing our skills throughout each stage in the lifecycle of CEPI’s search for safe and effective vaccines against deadly pathogens.”