Nestlé supports search for COVID-19 vaccine

Nestlé is supporting the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) with a donation of $1.03 million as CEPI works quickly and collaboratively to develop a safe, effective and globally accessible coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 vaccine within a 12 to 18-month timeframe.

CEPI has 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 programs to continue at pace.

Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestlé, said: "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."

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