SK Bioscience Partners with MSD and Hilleman Labs on $30M CEPI-Funded Zaire Ebola Vaccine Development
核心洞察
CEPI will provide up to $30 million to MSD for advancing Zaire ebolavirus vaccine (搜索) development, with funding allocated to partners SK bioscience (搜索) and Hilleman Laboratories (搜索).
The collaboration focuses on improving manufacturing yield and thermostability of MSD's WHO-prequalified Zaire ebolavirus vaccine (搜索) to address cold-chain challenges in low-resource settings.
SK bioscience (搜索) will develop updated drug substance manufacturing processes at its Andong facility, while Hilleman Laboratories (搜索) leads clinical development of the enhanced vaccine.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (搜索) (CEPI) has committed up to $30 million to advance development of a next-generation Zaire ebolavirus vaccine (搜索) through a strategic partnership between MSD, SK bioscience (搜索), and Hilleman Laboratories (搜索). The funding agreement, announced January 22, 2026, aims to address critical manufacturing and distribution challenges that have limited vaccine access in outbreak-prone regions.
Addressing Manufacturing and Cold-Chain Challenges
The collaboration builds on MSD's existing WHO-prequalified Zaire ebolavirus vaccine (搜索), focusing on overcoming significant logistical barriers. The current manufacturing process is complex and requires ultra-low temperature storage, creating substantial challenges in remote, low-resource settings where Zaire ebolavirus (搜索) outbreaks most frequently occur.
"By improving manufacturing yield and enhancing the thermostability of the vaccine, the project aims to support more affordable, accessible, and sustainable vaccine supply, subject to regulatory review and public health requirements," according to the partnership announcement.
Partnership Structure and Responsibilities
Under the CEPI funding agreement, MSD will allocate resources to its development partners for key research, manufacturing process improvement, and clinical development activities. Hilleman Laboratories (搜索), a joint venture between MSD and Wellcome (搜索), will lead clinical development of the updated vaccine.
SK bioscience (搜索), working alongside IDT Biologika (搜索), will develop the updated drug substance manufacturing process and associated drug product at its facility in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. The company will leverage its vaccine manufacturing expertise and infrastructure to contribute to improved vaccine affordability and accessibility in low- and middle-income countries.
Addressing Critical Global Health Need
Zaire ebolavirus (搜索) represents a significant global health threat, responsible for frequent and unpredictable Ebola (搜索) outbreaks with survival rates of approximately 50%. Recent outbreaks in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries have highlighted the continued risk posed by the virus, particularly in areas with limited healthcare access and logistics infrastructure.
Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, emphasized the transformation in Ebola (搜索) response capabilities: "In a single decade the world has transformed Ebola from a global emergency to a disease that can be stopped in its tracks – and now CEPI's support will help to enable a sustainable and accessible supply of MSD's Zaire ebolavirus vaccine (搜索) for years to come at a more affordable price."
Strategic Global Health Partnership
The collaboration represents a convergence of established global health partnerships, bringing together longstanding CEPI partners with MSD's development network. SK bioscience (搜索) CEO Jaeyong Ahn highlighted the importance of international cooperation: "Addressing deadly infectious diseases such as Ebola (搜索) requires strong global collaboration. Through this CEPI-supported partnership, SK bioscience will continue to play a critical role in improving Zaire ebolavirus vaccine (搜索) manufacturing and supply, contributing meaningfully to global health preparedness."
SK bioscience (搜索) has previously collaborated with major global health organizations including CEPI, the Gates Foundation, and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), establishing a track record in public health-driven vaccine initiatives. The company's integrated capabilities across development, manufacturing, and supply position it as a key partner in expanding equitable vaccine access worldwide.