CEPI – Medical Events: Supporting the design and development of a global coordination platform for therapeutics evidence generation in LMICs for emergency preparedness

Summary: The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an innovative partnership which finances and coordinates the accelerated development of new vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats. In June 2021, the Pandemic Preparedness Partnership report delivered to the G7 identified a crucial gap in R&D funding and coordination of therapeutics (Tx) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for pandemic preparedness. It recommended that CEPI’s remit expand to include R&D funding and coordination for therapeutics. CEPI, with the support of Q3 Strategy, is working to establish a LMIC Tx coordination platform.

Approach: Q3 Strategy is supporting CEPI to convene key stakeholders in two forums to facilitate a discussion around learnings, recommendations from current and ongoing Tx clinical trials to discuss actionable solutions and next steps. Q3 has supported CEPI to engage global and regional stakeholders representing organisations and networks playing a central role in epidemic and pandemic preparedness in these discussions. An array of unique facilitation approaches have been used to prepare for and deliver the sessions.

Outcome: The first panel, the West Africa Lassa Tx Panel aimed to understand the current state of preparedness for responding to Lassa outbreaks in the region, took place on the 9th of June, 2022. The LMIC Tx Evidence Generation Global Panel discussion on the 28th June 2022 is the second panel in this series. This will include exploring the feasibility and scope of an LMIC Tx coordination platform to address the following previously identified gaps: (i) Sustainability & Capacity Building (ii) LMIC to HIC engagement & coordination (iii) Industry engagement & coordination (iv) Access to Clinical Trial Material.