CEPI & WHO recommend broader research strategy for countries to prepare for the future pandemic

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for intensified global research to prepare for future pandemics. They emphasize studying entire pathogen families, using prototype pathogens to guide research and build comprehensive knowledge. At the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, the WHO R&D Blueprint urged a broader approach to create adaptable tools and countermeasures, improve surveillance, and understand pathogen transmission and immune responses.

The report compares current research to searching for lost keys in a dimly lit area, suggesting that studying prototype pathogens can illuminate previously unexplored regions, including resource-scarce areas with high biodiversity.

The assessment involved over 200 scientists evaluating 28 virus families and one bacterial group for epidemic and pandemic risks. CEPI and WHO advocate for globally coordinated research, establishing Collaborative Open Research Consortia (CORCs) for each pathogen family to enhance collaboration and ensure equitable participation, especially in high-risk regions.