Nipah, Gates and Singapore

As of January 2026, there are no officially approved vaccines for the Nipah virus (NiV), but several candidates are in development, with significant funding and collaboration involving the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and research entities based in Singapore.

Key Developments in Nipah Vaccines and Funding

CEPI Funding: CEPI, an organization supported by the Gates Foundation, has awarded millions in funding for Nipah vaccine candidates, including a 2019 contract for up to US$31 million to the University of Tokyo to develop a vaccine using a measles vector.

Vaccine Candidates: Research focuses on viral vector vaccines (similar to Ebola vaccines) and subunit vaccines. A promising rVSV-Nipah candidate has received up to $43.6 million in funding from CEPI for development.

Phase 1 Trials: A candidate subunit vaccine showed promising safety and immunogenicity in a Phase 1 trial, with results published in November 2025.

Singapore's Role and Collaboration

Research and Conferences: Singapore is actively involved in regional preparedness and research, hosting a major conference on Nipah virus, bringing together global stakeholders including Duke-NUS, CEPI, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Gates Foundation Presence: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is establishing an office in Singapore to strengthen partnerships for global health in Asia, with a focus on vaccine development.

Surveillance: Singapore has tightened airport screenings in response to recent Nipah outbreaks in India, although no cases have been detected in Singapore in the current 2026 outbreak wave.

Current Status

No Cure/Vaccine: Currently, only supportive care is available for infected patients, with case fatality rates ranging from 40% to 75%.

Urgent Need: The WHO has classified Nipah as a priority disease with pandemic potential, making the development of these vaccines highly urgent.

The collaborations between Singapore and partners like the Gates Foundation are aimed at accelerating the development of these vaccines to prevent future outbreaks.

Gates and Singapore

Bill Gates visited Singapore in early May 2025 for a two-day trip, highlighting the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's plans to establish a new regional office in the city-state. During his visit, he met with government leaders, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and explored local culture by trying hawker food like chicken rice and durian at the Newton Food Centre.

Key Details of the Visit:

Purpose: To establish a new Asia regional office for the Gates Foundation, focusing on health, technology, and philanthropy.

Key Meetings: Met with senior government leaders, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and senior officials.

Activities: Spoke at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025 and met with Breakthrough Energy partners.

Local Experience: Visited Newton Food Centre to sample local dishes, including satay, chicken rice, and durian.

Observations: Described Singapore as "talented," "forward-looking," and a key location for regional health solutions.

This visit marked a significant step in expanding the foundation's footprint in Asia, leveraging Singapore's technological and philanthropic ecosystem.