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\u00a9 Gorodenkoff\/stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how vulnerable Europe and the world remain to infectious diseases, particularly when research capacity is fragmented and preparedness efforts fade between outbreaks. Enhancement of Europe\u2019s capacity for controlling and responding to emerging and epidemic infectious diseases is urgently needed.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBuilding a network for connected preparedness<\/p>\n
The EU-funded ISIDORe(opens in new window)<\/a> project addressed this challenge by bringing together 17 major life sciences research infrastructures and infectious disease networks to create an integrated portfolio of services. This One Health-driven framework provides rapid, trusted and equitable access to more than 300 high-level services designed to support research from fundamental science to clinical development<\/p>\n \u201cISIDORe provides a single point of access to research infrastructure services for scientists from academia and private entities to advance research on epidemic-prone pathogens and test medical countermeasures. These incorporate vaccines, antivirals, and diagnostic tools,\u201d explains project coordinator Audrey Richard.<\/p>\n To maximise its impact, ISIDORe aligned its efforts with European and international organisations involved in outbreak response, pandemic preparedness, risk assessment, surveillance, and One Health initiatives. These included the European Commission and the WHO, among others.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCross-Europe coordination against current and future outbreaks<\/p>\n ISIDORe launched open calls for projects addressing rapid response. Early during the project, an emergency call targeting SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern was initiated, followed two months later by a rapid mobilisation for the emerging Mpox outbreak.<\/p>\n Additional preparedness calls were launched focusing on specific pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential. Access to services was free of charge for users, and applications were open to academia, public health institutions, and industry. Proposals were evaluated based on scientific excellence, feasibility, and ethical compliance.<\/p>\n \u201cA major achievement of ISIDORe was the smooth coordination of a diverse range of facilities, enabling timely cross-infrastructure service provision,\u201d emphasises Richard.<\/p>\n Beyond its achievements, ISIDORe, represented by ERINHA(opens in new window)<\/a>, has been strategically anchored within the European Pandemic Preparedness Partnership Be Ready Now<\/a>, set to launch in 2026. This will ensure the scientific readiness of Europe against highly infectious disease threats.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSuccess stories<\/p>\n