INTERnational Cooperation of high containment research infrastructures: from Epidemic Preparedness TO Response

Emerging infectious diseases (EID) do not respect borders. They rank as global catastrophic risks for humanity, along with climate change and biodiversity loss.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed how coordination of global research, through cooperation, and sharing of data and expertise, are crucial for efficient and effective preparedness to EIDs, and vital for a rapid response. Nevertheless, there are still major challenges limiting global cooperation among high containment laboratories (HCLs).

HCLs are critical infrastructures for the development of medical countermeasures (e.g., vaccines and therapeutics) against high consequence pathogens.

In order to fulfil its role, and given the global threat of EIDs, the European Research Infrastructure on Highly pathogenic Agents (ERINHA), together with its partners, proposes to establish and reinforce interactions with HCL research infrastructures (RI) worldwide, to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response capacities.

INTERCEPTOR (INTERnational Cooperation of high containment research infrastructures: from Epidemic Preparedness TO Response), a consortium with key HCLs from Europe and across the world, will focus on access provision to HCLs, enhancement of the human capital of HCL, including in biorisk management, critical resources sharing, harmonisation and interoperability.

The proposed actions will help ensure broader access to state-of-the-art HC facilities, while respecting the necessary biosecurity and biosafety constraints, and promote the establishment of a sustainable global network of HC RIs.

By expanding access to HC RIs, strengthening the human capital base, promoting sharing of knowledge, skills and experience, and providing opportunities for common training programmes and staff exchanges, INTERCEPTOR will reinforce the next generation of HCL researchers and facility managers, and extend the opportunities for access to HCLs, required to push the boundaries of science and innovation in the field of EIDs.