Newsletter
February 2018
Strong Beginnings and a Bright Future
In the past few years, GloPID-R has expanded and become increasingly prepared to tackle new and current infectious diseases threats.
At the upcoming General Assembly on February 28, 2018 in Brussels, we will discuss our thoughts and plans for investing in research and innovation epidemics. Towards that end, the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) has proposed a long-term research agenda for GloPID-R members to consider during this meeting. I want to thank all SAB members for their hard work as the resulting report will be invaluable to GloPID-R members. Additionally, the newly set up Industry Stakeholder Group will allow GloPID-R to better engage with the industry, a key player in terms of preparedness and response.
Over the last four years, GloPID-R has built a common response process for outbreaks, most recently used in the Plague Outbreak in Madagascar. In addition, the network has been active in connecting clinical trial networks and building a framework for data sharing during public health emergencies.
Members have evaluated and, in some cases, provided funding for specific outbreaks, such as Zika, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, yellow fever and more recently the plague outbreak in Madagascar. During the Zika outbreak, GloPID-R hosted the “GloPID-R Zika Virus Research Workshop” in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2016 to facilitate collaboration on Zika research projects funded by GloPID-R members worldwide. Hopefully, a workshop will be organized this summer, to strengthen the links between our different research teams. Furthermore, the plague outbreak was the first time the newly agreed upon Response Plan was put into practice, adding clarity and transparency to our actions.
GloPID-R is driven by the idea that collectively we can identify and fund long-term and short-term research priorities to better prepare against pandemics and catalyze the response during crises. It’s only by teaming up that we can save populations and economies worldwide. Many things still need to be done but thanks to the hard work done over the last few years, we are progressively reaching our goals. The General Assembly will be the perfect opportunity to discuss and understand what we have already done and make sure we are prepared and ready to reach the next level.
Best Regards,
Line Matthiessen
GloPID-R Chair