A NEW pandemic research institute launched today at the University of Oxford.  

The Pandemic Sciences Institute has been set up to prepare and counter future pandemic threats to come after covid.

Bringing together academia, industry and public health organisations across the world, it will “create science-led innovations to accelerate the understanding and develop new diagnostics, treatments, vaccines and digital disease control tools, with a focus on equitable access of benefits for all.”

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Scientists, academics and researches working at the institute will aim to reduce the risks posed by infectious diseases by improving data collection, strengthening surveillance and helping to create vaccines and other countermeasures.

The institute will be directed by Sir Peter Horby, Professor of emerging infectious diseases and global health, and its team includes Dame Sarah Gilbert and Sir Andrew Pollard, who both worked to develop the Oxford/AstraZeneca covid jab.

 

Sir Peter Horby has more than 20 years’ experience of leading research on emerging and epidemic infections, including SARS-I, avian influenza, Ebola, Lassa fever and plague. He has also played a crucial role in the global effort to combat the covid pandemic, including co-leading the RECOVERY trial. 

Speaking at a launch event this morning, he said: "Covid has demonstrated the importance and urgency of pandemic preparedness. To meet the 100-day challenge, accurate and approved rapid point of care diagnostic tests, initial regimen of therapeutics and vaccines ready to be produced at scale for global deployment are needed."

 

 

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The university said the centre will learn from the response to covid and take advantage of the research and global partnerships developed in and around Oxford during the past two years.

The institute, which hoped to attract more than £500 million in investment when it was unveiled last year, has so far raised about £100 million and also received a donation from the Moh Family Foundation earlier this year.

 

One of its main priorities will be overcoming the lack of larger-scale vaccine manufacturing capacity globally.

Oxford’s covid vaccine partner AstraZeneca transferred technology to multiple sites around the world but researchers say that in the future every continent will need to be able to produce big quantities of vaccines.

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The university said the institute will focus on three themes:  

  • Accelerating understanding and insights, to generate actionable knowledge and data (from pathogens through to patients) in near ‘real-time’ and making this globally accessible. 
  • Translating research into real-world solutions, creating and deploying effective, acceptable and equitable health technologies, including digital tools, diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. 
  • Enhancing confidence, trust and impact, identifying ways to strengthen societal and political engagement, resilience, and responsiveness. 

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi