A scientific framework for epidemic and

pandemic research preparedness

Scientific opportunities to achieve fast and equitable access to
high-quality and trusted vaccines for future pandemics.

9 January 2024

1pm – 5:30pm Central European Time (CET)

Agenda (V6)
 A scientific framework for epidemic & pandemic preparedness

BACKGROUND
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 family1.

Improved pandemic preparedness could be achieved by proactively managing emerging virus

threats focused on four discreet activities using currently available tools:
o discovery and surveillance,
o targeted basic research,
o translational research and product development, and
o clinical trial infrastructure and deployment capacity.

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.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTATIONS

o To review the state of the art and the scientific opportunities and challenges
o To outline cross-cutting scientific actions are needed (globally and at the country level) to
address the development challenges.
o To discuss and clarify the utility of establishing generalizable research approaches relative
to specific product development within viral families.

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

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?sfvrsn=9341366_2
 A scientific framework for epidemic & pandemic preparedness

Chairperson: Cristina Cassetti (NIAID)

Time Topic Proposed Speakers

13:00 – 13:05 Welcoming remarks Michael J Ryan
Executive Director, WHO
Health Emergencies
Programme

SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES TO ADDRESS UNCERTAINTY

13:05 – 13:10 Objectives of the meeting Chairperson
13:10 - 13:20 A scientific approach to pandemic Barney Graham
preparedness
13:20 – 13:30 A global effort to identify viral and bacterial Marie Paule Kieny (Medicines
families that are anticipated to threaten public Patent Pool)
health
13:30 - 13:40 Strategies to promote collaboration and Philip Krause (WHO)
universal values
in development and evaluation of medical
countermeasures

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR ALL VIRAL AND BACTERIAL FAMILIES,

REGARDLESS OF PERCEIVED PANDEMIC POTENTIAL
Defining the scope of emerging virus threats through discovery
13:40 – 13:50 Research on virus detection and discovery Ian Lipkin (Columbia University,
methods, including metagenomics and their USA)
application to human samples
13:50 – 14:00 Enhancing unbiased efforts to identify new Peter Daszak (Eco Health
pathogens/ variants/strains in animals, Alliance)
including reservoir hosts, potential intermediate
hosts, and common vectors
14:00 – 14:40 Pathogen discovery research to support Panel discussion moderated
pandemic threat detection. by Miles Carroll (University of
Oxford, the United Kingdom)
o How to expand global collaboration and
capacity Judith Breuer (University
o What samples should be screened? College London)
o Surveillance in humans? what cohorts? Ian Lipkin (Columbia University,
o Rodents and bats and other animals? USA)
What geographies? Rajiv Bahl (ICMR, India)
o Wastewater surveillance? What Valdilea Veloso (FRIOCRUZ,
geographies Brazil)
o Vectors: mosquitos/ticks, etc. Danny Douek (NIH/VRC, USA)
Marion Koopmans (Erasmus,
Netherlands)
George Gao (CDC, China)

Expanding generalizable basic research that would support the development of

vaccines for future threats
 A scientific framework for epidemic & pandemic preparedness

Time Topic Proposed Speakers

14:40-14:50 Using new technologies to define the atomic- Jason McLellan (University of
level details of surface proteins likely to be Texas, USA)
vaccine targets
14:50-15:00 Understanding cell tropism and receptor Vincent Munster (NIAID, USA)
requirements and determining replication
mechanisms and capacity for antigenic
diversity
15:00-15:10 Rapid development of monoclonal antibody Emanuele Andreano (Toscano
and protein reagents to guide and facilitate Life Sciences, Italy)
vaccine development

15:10-15:20 Developing humanized models with an eye on Simon Funnell (UKHSA)

potential for generalizability - what needs to be
done?
(interferon, adaptive, etc.)
15:20-16:00 Developing humanized models with an eye on
potential for generalizability: how to do it?

1.CRISPR/CAS9 as tool to improve animal Mark Johnson (Taconic)

models

2. Humanized mice Leonard Schultz (The Jackson

Laboratory, USA)

3. Human organ on chip (MPS) infection Alexander Mosig (Jena

model development University, Germany)

4. Introducing immunity to MPS TBC

16:00 – 16:10 Developing immunological assays with an eye William Dowling (CEPI)
on potential for generalizability
16:10-16:20 Introduction to panel discussion - How to Barney Graham
synergize scientific efforts and promote
collaboration among researchers on a global
level, even in a non-emergency
16:20-16:50 Given technologies and capacities, what do Panel discussion moderated
we need to take basic research to next level by Barney Graham
and make it generalizable and scalable?
Alex Sette (La Jolla Institute,
o What are the top research priorities and USA)
what does success look like? Miles Carroll (University of
o How to create an engineering mindset in Oxford, the United Kingdom)
biological research? Facundo Batista (Harvard
o How can scientists better collaborate? University, USA)
o In addition to supporting scientific Jorge Kalil (University of São
exchange, what else can be done to Paulo, Brazil)
promote and support progress in this area? Heli Harvala (University of
Oxford, the United Kingdom)
 A scientific framework for epidemic & pandemic preparedness

Time Topic Proposed Speakers

Claudio Lanata (Instituto de
Investigación Nutricional, Peru)
Naomi Forrester-Soto (Keele
University, the United
Kingdom)
David Lye (National Center for
Infectious Diseases, Singapore)
Lynda Stuart (University of
Washington, USA)

GLOBAL COLLABORATION TO COODINATE BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL

RESEARCH AS PART OF PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
16:50-17:00 MCMs network Scott Pendergast (WHO) TBC
17:00-17:10 WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics Ana Maria Henao Restrepo
(WHO)
17:10-17:20 WHO surveillance Hub Sara Hersey (WHO)
17:20-17:30 What are the key next scientific steps? Chairperson
17:30 END OF MEETING