(C) World Health Organization
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Research response to pathogen X during a pandemic [1]
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Date: 2024-01-19
From 13:00 till 18:00 (CET Geneva time)
Scientific opportunities to achieve fast and equitable access to high-quality and trusted vaccines for future pandemics.
Since 2015, the WHO has implemented a comprehensive global research strategy and preparedness plan known as the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics. A centerpiece of this work is the WHO pathogen priority list which ensures research efforts are concentrated on diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential where medical countermeasures and limited or non-existent. Since November 2022, a new approach has been implemented, focusing on entire classes of viruses or bacteria rather than individual pathogens. Around 200+ scientists from 53 countries are independently evaluating the evidence related to 30 viral families, one core group of bacteria, and “Pathogen X” – an unknown pathogen with the potential to trigger a severe global epidemic. This new approach will also help identify representative viruses (or prototypes) within a viral family as a pathfinder in generating evidence and filling knowledge gaps that may then apply to other viruses of threat in the same family 1 .
Improved pandemic preparedness could be achieved by proactively managing emerging virus threats focused on four discreet activities using currently available tools:
Many have proposed a variety of approaches including promoting basic research, translational research, coordination of access to data, and development of prototype vaccines among others. Coordinating and accelerating global research must promote universal values. Regarding a collaborative effort to ensure access to MCMs during pandemics, some have emphasized the importance of speed and sometimes cost in responding to future pandemics. It is equally important to take a broader view that recognizes the primary importance of quality, equity in access, and trust in the products' safety and efficacy. As a community, we need to explore the different scientific challenges openly and broadly, discuss the scientific solutions being proposed; outline the various potential actions and what problem(s) each action will address2. A series of four consultations have been planned to discuss these matters.
discovery and surveillance,
To review the state of the art and the scientific opportunities and challenges
To outline cross-cutting scientific actions are needed (globally and at the country level) to address the development challenges.
To discuss and clarify the utility of establishing generalizable research approaches relative to specific product development within viral families.
Many have proposed a variety of approaches including promoting basic research, translational research, coordination of access to data, and development of prototype vaccines among others. Coordinating and accelerating global research must pro
First consultation – 9 January 2024 A Scientific Framework for Epidemics and Pandemics Preparedness Second consultation – 18 January 2024 Critical research for priority pathogens with epidemic potential Third consultation – 19 January 2024 Research response to pathogen X during a pandemic Fourth consultation – February, 2024 Addressing uncertainty during epidemics and pandemics by generating randomized evidence
Disclaimer - During these meetings, we will not discuss specific national or international initiatives or define or discuss the elements of global governance
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1
https://www.who.int/teams/blueprint/who-r-and-d-blueprint-for-epidemics
2
https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/documents/r-d-blueprint-meetings/global-research-and-innovation-for-health-emergencies_report-2023.pdf
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[1] Url:
https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/01/19/default-calendar/Research-response-to-pathogen-X-during-a-pandemic
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