New Pathogens Prioritization Framework

The World Health Organization (WHO)’s recently updated framework for pathogen prioritization highlights a significant shift towards a family -and prototype pathogen-based approach in pandemic preparedness and response research & development.

Focusing on entire viral families and one bacterial group, rather than individual pathogens, the report underscores the necessity of global collaboration in research and development, a core value of ERINHA. This new framework aligns with ERINHA’s mission to enhance pandemic preparedness through research against high consequence pathogens and offers ERINHA opportunities to strengthen its role in European and global research networks, ensuring readiness for future pandemic threats.

In the EU-funded NAVIPP project launched earlier this year, ERINHA leads a cutting-edge international platform for the discovery, development and early clinical investigation of broad-spectrum antivirals. Importantly, the project’s strategy focuses on multiple viral families prioritised by the WHO in their new framework, including the Corona-, Filo-, Flavi-, Nairo-, and Paramyxoviridae families. A collaboration of expert partners from both the public and private sectors, as well as the expertise of multiple ERINHA members in handling and investigating the most pathogenic viruses allow for such a comprehensive approach and will contribute to achieving some of the goals of the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics. Similarly, the CCHFVACIM project is tackling the specific issue of the tick-borne Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever virus (CCHFV), the prototype pathogen of the WHO-prioritised Nairoviridae family. Led by ERINHA Swedish member FOHM and involving, among others, ERINHA as well as French Member INSERM, the project ambitions to develop effective medical countermeasures (MCMs) against the virus using the most state-of-the art approaches, such as mRNA vaccines and immuno-therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

Implication for ERINHA

The WHO’s updated framework for pathogen prioritization confirms ERINHA’s vital role in the global R&D landscape to prepare the world for future pandemics. By contributing to the development of MCMs against these pathogens, ERINHA supports the global effort to prevent outbreaks.

By engaging with this framework that is directly aligned with infrastructure’s strategy, ERINHA can further its role in international collaborative efforts to pre‑empt and combat emerging infectious diseases. Importantly, the emphasis on region-specific research provides opportunities for ERINHA to contribute to global health security by addressing pathogens that may have unique impacts in Europe.

As the global health landscape evolves, ERINHA will continue to commit to advance research for enhanced pandemic preparedness. The WHO’s pathogen prioritization framework provides a clear direction for future research, and ERINHA’s expertise ensures that Europe remains at the forefront of this critical work. By focusing on high-risk pathogens and fostering international cooperation, ERINHA is helping to build a safer, more resilient world.