India–CEPI partnership enters a new phase focused on next-generation vaccines
On 13 September 2026, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, speaking at a reception for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Board in New Delhi, said India is the world's largest vaccine producer and global supplier by volume.
Summary
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Board and Investors Council were hosted at a reception in New Delhi jointly by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and CEPI, where Union Minister Jitendra Singh said India's partnership with CEPI is entering a new phase focused on next-generation vaccines and global health security. He noted that India is a founding member of CEPI. The India-centric CEPI mission, Ind-CEPI, implemented by BRIC-THSTI and BIRAC, has delivered India's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, GEMCOVAC-19, which received Emergency Use Authorisation, and an inactivated Chikungunya vaccine candidate now in Phase II/III trials. The BRIC-THSTI Bioassay Laboratory is one of CEPI's 17 centralised network laboratories and has supported eight vaccine candidates. The next phase aims at universal and pan-pathogen vaccines and advanced biomanufacturing.
Key facts
- Event
- Reception for CEPI Board and Investors Council, New Delhi — 13 Sep 2026
- Hosts
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and CEPI
- India's role
- Founding member of CEPI; largest vaccine producer by volume
- Ind-CEPI
- Implemented by BRIC-THSTI and BIRAC
- Outcomes
- GEMCOVAC-19 (India's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine); Chikungunya candidate in Phase II/III
- Lab
- BRIC-THSTI Bioassay Lab — one of CEPI's 17 network labs
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What is GEMCOVAC-19, cited as an outcome of the Ind-CEPI mission?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — India's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
GEMCOVAC-19 is India's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and received Emergency Use Authorisation.
Consider the following about India and CEPI: 1. India is a founding member of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). 2. The Ind-CEPI mission is implemented by ICMR and the Serum Institute of India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. India is a founding member of CEPI; the Ind-CEPI mission is implemented by BRIC-THSTI and BIRAC under the Department of Biotechnology.