CEPI & WHO Urge Global Effort for Pandemic Preparedness

A newly issued report by the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics advocates for a broader research approach.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for intensified global efforts to prepare for future pandemics.

At the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024, both organizations emphasized the need to expand research efforts to encompass entire families of pathogens, not just those currently deemed high-risk.

A newly issued report by the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics advocates for a broader research approach.

This strategy proposes using prototype pathogens to build comprehensive knowledge about entire pathogen families, rather than focusing on individual pathogens.

The aim is to create versatile tools and countermeasures that can be quickly adapted to new threats.

The report uses a metaphor to explain its recommendations: scientists searching for lost keys on a street where the light only illuminates well-known pathogens.

By studying prototype pathogens, researchers can extend the illuminated area to uncover and understand lesser-known pathogens.

This approach aims to fill gaps in monitoring, particularly in resource-limited settings with high biodiversity, where novel pathogens may emerge but where comprehensive research infrastructure is lacking.

Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, highlighting the importance of the updated framework, said, “WHO’s scientific framework for epidemic and pandemic research preparedness is a crucial shift in our approach to developing countermeasures. It will guide research into entire pathogen families and enhance our ability to respond to emerging threats and unforeseen variants.”

Global Scientific Collaboration

The development of the report involved over 200 scientists from more than 50 countries. They evaluated 28 virus families and one core group of bacteria, encompassing 1,652 pathogens.

The assessment considered factors such as transmission patterns, virulence, and the availability of diagnostic tools, vaccines, and treatments.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the urgency of global preparedness, “The next pandemic is not a question of if, but when. We need a combined effort of science and political resolve to prepare effectively. Advancing our understanding of the myriad pathogens around us requires global collaboration.”

Establishing Research Consortia

To support this initiative, WHO is establishing Collaborative Open Research Consortia (CORCs) for each pathogen family. These consortia will involve researchers, developers, funders, and regulators from around the world, particularly from regions where these pathogens are likely to circulate.

Each CORC will be led by a WHO Collaborating Centre to foster greater collaboration and equitable participation in pandemic preparedness research.

The call to expand research efforts and establish global consortia underscores the importance of a coordinated and comprehensive approach to pandemic preparedness.

By focusing on entire pathogen families and enhancing collaboration, CEPI and WHO aim to build a robust defense against future pandemics, ensuring rapid and effective responses to emerging threats.