Nestlé supports CEPI’s COVID-19 vaccine search

Global food company Nestlé has announced its support towards Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations’ (CEPI) efforts to find a vaccine against COVID-19, through a donation of $1.03 million. CEPI is playing an important role in funding and speeding up the development of COVID-19 vaccine candidates on a global basis, which is crucial to end the pandemic and to save lives and livelihoods.

CEPI is an innovative global partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil society organisations launched in Davos in 2017 to develop vaccines to stop future epidemics.

Currently, CEPI is working quickly and collaboratively with the ambition to develop a safe, effective and globally accessible COVID-19 vaccine within 12-18 months’ timeframe. They have already raised over $1 billion from governments, private donors and individuals around the world, but need further funding to reach their goal of $2 billion to allow their COVID-19 programmes to continue at pace.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of pain and hardship in communities around the world. A safe and effective vaccine will be needed to return to normality. That is why it was important to us to get on board when CEPI issued their call. We hope others will join us and support this important mission,” said Mark Schneider, CEO, Nestlé.

“It will take a monumental effort to tackle this virus, but through global cooperation and financial contributions towards the COVID-19 response, businesses can play their part in helping to change the course of this devastating pandemic,” added Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO, CEPI. “We are grateful for Nestlé’s leadership in supporting our efforts to rapidly develop a safe, effective and globally accessible vaccine against COVID-19. At this pivotal moment in time, we call on other businesses to follow Nestlé’s initiative and provide the vital support necessary to get our lives, society and economies back on track.”

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