CEPI and Pasteur Network partner to advance regional vaccine R&D and outbreak preparedness

April 20, 2026; OSLO; PARIS: The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Pasteur Network (PN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand collaboration on epidemic and pandemic preparedness, vaccine research, manufacturing and innovation.

CEPI and PN will work together to enhance regional capacity in vaccine research and development, clinical trials, biosafety and biosecurity, laboratory science, and manufacturing in support of equitable vaccine access. The partnership ultimately seeks to advance shared objectives in epidemic and pandemic preparedness for rapid and equitable access to vaccines during future public health emergencies. It will bring together CEPI’s vaccine development expertise and networks and the Pasteur Network’s strengths in global disease surveillance and locally embedded research capacity, particularly in the Global South.

“By joining forces with the Pasteur Network, CEPI can connect with trusted, locally embedded institutions to accelerate vaccine development and readiness. Together, we will strengthen scientific collaboration, share best practices, and build sustainable regional capacity to accelerate vaccine development and improve the world’s ability to respond rapidly and equitably to emerging outbreaks, wherever they may occur.”

Dr Richard Hatchett, CEPI’s Chief Executive Officer

“By deepening our collaboration with CEPI, the Pasteur Network can connect its diverse, regionally embedded institutions with the tools and partnerships needed to accelerate vaccine innovation. Together, we will expand clinical trial capacity, advance manufacturing capabilities, and reinforce the scientific infrastructure that gives every country a stake — and a role — in protecting the world from epidemic and pandemic threats”

Dr. Rebecca Grais, Pasteur Network’s Executive Director

The MoU establishes a framework for potential collaboration across priority areas, including:

• Epidemiology and data science: enhancing modelling, analytics, and early-warning platforms.
• Laboratory research and innovations: leveraging pre-clinical and laboratory networks to support vaccine testing and development.
• Clinical trials: expanding capacity for Phase II/III studies in disease-endemic regions.
• Biosecurity: strengthening safe laboratory practices and outbreak containment readiness.
• Process development and manufacturing: advancing technology transfer, mRNA vaccine capabilities, and scalable manufacturing networks.
• Quality: broadening collaboration with Pasteur Network across all Good Practice disciplines.
• Preparedness and response: supporting the execution of 100 Days Mission exercises and sharing lessons learned.

Building on existing collaborations, including with Senegal’s Institut Pasteur de Dakar and Brazil’s Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz—both members of CEPI’s Vaccine Manufacturing Facility Network and the Pasteur Network—the partnership aims to reduce fragmentation in regional research and development efforts, accelerate vaccine development pathways, and strengthen systems for clinical trials and regulatory confidence. Shared efforts will also advance equitable access to vaccines and innovative solutions to global health challenges.

This framework also enables CEPI and the Pasteur Network to explore emerging opportunities in vaccine design, mRNA technologies, and multi-institute networks for manufacturing and clinical research, with a particular focus on institutions in Africa and other Global South regions. Activities could include staff training, protocol standardisation, workshops, and network-wide coordination to reinforce both scientific quality and operational resilience.

Going forward, CEPI and the Pasteur Network will hold regular consultations to monitor progress, align on public health priorities, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The Pasteur Network expresses its concern regarding reported damage to facilities at the Pasteur Institute of Iran and notes the potential impact of recent events in Tehran on a major public health and scientific institution. International scientific reporting, including coverage in Science Magazine, has highlighted the effects of escalating hostilities on universities and research institutions in Iran, including impacts on academic and public health infrastructure.

Founded in 1920, the Pasteur Institute of Iran is a longstanding member of the Pasteur Network. The Institute contributes to national, regional and global public health through its national reference laboratories, WHO Collaborating Centers, disease surveillance and diagnostics, biobanks, and essential medical countermeasures production.

Damage to or disruption of such infrastructure may have consequences beyond national borders. When public health institutes and surveillance systems are affected, outbreak detection capacity can be reduced, essential public health functions may be disrupted, and preparedness for emerging infectious threats may be weakened. These challenges are directly linked to broader considerations of regional and global health security.

The protection of health and scientific institutions is widely recognized as important for safeguarding essential public health functions, particularly in times of crisis. Maintaining the continuity of such institutions supports not only national health systems but also collective efforts to prevent and respond to cross-border health threats.

Mario Moreira, President of the Pasteur Network, stated: “The reported damage to the Pasteur Institute of Iran is deeply concerning. This institution plays an important role in supporting the health of populations in Iran and the region. When such capacities are disrupted, diagnostics, surveillance, and response to ongoing and emerging threats may be affected, with potential implications for health security beyond national borders.”

The Pasteur Network notes the increasing international attention to the protection of health and scientific institutions and commends the efforts of the Pasteur Institute of Iran’s staff to maintain essential diagnostic and public health functions under challenging circumstances.

The Pasteur Network expresses its support for its colleagues at the Pasteur Institute of Iran and reaffirms its commitment to the continuity of critical public health functions, scientific cooperation and the protection of health and research institutions worldwide.

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Press contact
Hichem Ben Hassine
hichembenhassine@pasteur-network.org
+33 6 51 93 26 96

The Pasteur Network is pleased to announce the launch of the new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Research Management in Outbreak Preparedness and Response, in the context of the DURABLE project.
The MOOC “Research Management in Outbreak Preparedness and Response”  is funded by the DURABLE project and developed in collaboration with: Institut Pasteur, ERASMUS-MC, Charité, KU-Leuven, Fiocruz, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, TDR (the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases), Bioport.

DURABLE is co-funded by European Union’s EU4Health programme (grant number 101102733). The views and opinions expressed via this website are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the EU4Health programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Registrations are now open, and the course will start on May 11, 2026.

The goal of this MOOC is to provide research managers, scientists and global health professionals with the knowledge and practical tools to ensure that research can be mobilized effectively, rapidly, and equitably during health emergencies. Participants will learn how coordination, regulation, ethics, logistics, technology transfer, stakeholder engagement, and equity contribute to successful outbreak response.

The course is hosted on the France Université Numérique (FUN) platform.

Designed by experts from research institutes and public health organizations around the world, this MOOC builds on real-world experiences from epidemic and pandemic situations. It provides learners with practical guidance on the organization, coordination, and management of research systems in times of crisis.

The MOOC is structured around eight chapters, covering:

• Understanding the landscape and objectives
• Introduction to research management
• Stakeholder engagement and trust
• Equity in research preparedness and response
• Regulatory aspects
• Technology transfer
• Ethics in emergency contexts
• Operational and logistical challenges

Each chapter includes short expert-led video sessions with English and French subtitles, accompanied by interactive multiple-choice quizzes to test understanding and reinforce learning. Upon completion, participants receive a participation badge.

Target Audience

This course is intended for research managers, scientists, and professionals working in global health, outbreak preparedness, and public health research environments. It is also relevant for legal, ethics, or logistics officers involved in research coordination.

Registration
Registration is now open, and the course will start on May 11, 2026, on the FUN platform.

Press Contact

Gregoire Davignon : gregoire.davignon.ext@pasteur.fr 

Follow the @Pasteur Network on social media to know more about this MOOC:

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Fifth Implementation Report highlights some progress, but warns that fragile systems, uneven investment and pipeline stagnation threaten the world’s ability to respond to another pandemic within 100 days

Key points:

• The Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission (100DM) finds that the 100-day target is not yet achievable in many areas, with significant gaps persisting across diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and the systems required to deliver them rapidly and equitably.
• The 100DM Scorecard 3.0 highlights continued pressure on global R&D pipelines, declining investment in pandemic countermeasures, and heavy reliance on a small number of funders.
• Major reductions in global health and research budgets in 2025 have exposed structural vulnerabilities, disrupted development pipelines, and weakened preparedness.
• A series of outbreaks in 2025, including mpox, H5N1, Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley Fever, Chikungunya and measles, demonstrated persistent weaknesses in early detection, coordination and access.
• The report identifies 2026 as a decisive year as France begins its G7 presidency, calling for coordinated action to operationalise therapeutics development, close diagnostics gaps, sustain vaccine investment, and secure the future of preparedness monitoring.
• Global experts are convening today in Paris to discuss the report’s findings. Join the event virtually via our Zoom livestream.

Paris, France, 27 January 2026 – The International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS) today launches the Fifth Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission, warning that global pandemic readiness is becoming increasingly fragile at a time of growing biosecurity and geopolitical risk.

The report is being launched at an international event at PariSanté Campus in Paris, hosted in partnership with the French National Research Agency for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS MIE/Inserm) and the Pasteur Network, and livestreamed to a global audience.

The 100 Days Mission aims to ensure that safe, effective and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines (DTVs) can be developed, approved and made available for scale-up within 100 days of a pandemic threat being identified. The Fifth Implementation Report assesses global progress toward this ambition during a year of major political, financial, and epidemiological change.

In 2025, the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement marked a significant step forward, establishing the first global framework for equitable preparedness and response. However, the report finds that implementation now represents the decisive test. At the same time, sharp contractions in global health and R&D funding, including reduced commitments from major donors and the closure of several large programmes, have disrupted pipelines and revealed how dependent the preparedness ecosystem remains on a narrow funding base.

The 100DM Scorecard 3.0, developed in collaboration with Impact Global Health, shows that overall investment in pandemic countermeasure R&D continued to decline through FY2024, with the steepest impacts seen in therapeutics. Pipelines across diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines remain uneven and clustered in early stages, with limited progression into mid-stage and late-stage development. Progress on enabling systems, including regulatory preparedness, clinical trial readiness, data-sharing frameworks and manufacturing coordination, remains slow.

A succession of outbreaks in 2025 reinforced these findings. Mpox remains a continental health emergency in Africa, H5N1 has demonstrated zoonotic spillover risk, and outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley Fever and Chikungunya have placed renewed pressure on public health systems. These events highlighted persistent challenges in early detection, coordination and equitable access to countermeasures.

For the first time, and in response to calls for more detailed analysis from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the 100DM Scorecard includes a ‘deep dive’ assessment of pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) capacity in Africa. This new analysis evaluates the continent’s capabilities in clinical trials, laboratory systems, regulatory frameworks and manufacturing, providing a clearer picture of the regional strengths needed to support the 100 Days Mission.

Despite the significant pressures highlighted, the report also identifies areas of meaningful progress. Advances in platform technologies, including mRNA, monoclonal antibodies and artificial intelligence, continue to offer opportunities to accelerate development. Regional capacity has expanded, particularly in Africa, with growing regulatory maturity and manufacturing capability. Rwanda’s integration of the 100 Days Mission framework and Scorecard into national preparedness planning is highlighted as an example of how the mission can be operationalised at country level.

With the mandate of IPPS concluding in 2027, the report identifies four priority action areas for 2026:

• Operationalising the Therapeutics Development Coalition to address persistent gaps in antiviral R&D.
• Enhancing coordination across the diagnostics ecosystem and implementing recommendations from the Global Diagnostics Gap Assessment.
• Sustaining vaccine investment and strengthening alignment across diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
• Agreeing a sustainable mechanism for pandemic preparedness monitoring, including a long-term path for the 100 Days Mission Scorecard beyond the IPPS mandate.

The Paris launch comes at a critical political moment, as France assumes the G7 presidency, and will host a major summit on One Health in April, and the international community prepares for the UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September.

Dr Mona Nemer, Chair of the IPPS Steering Group and Chief Science Adviser of Canada, said: “The science needed to respond faster to pandemics continues to advance, but this report makes clear that progress in applying these advances to deliverig effective tools is insufficient. Today, despite the landmark WHO Pandemic Agreement, the world remains vulnerable to funding shocks, uncoordinated R&D efforts and fragile development pipelines – particularly for therapeutics.

The 100 Days Mission was designed to move us from panic to preparedness. Achieving it will require sustained investment, stronger integration across diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, and the political resolve to translate global commitments into operational readiness. The coming year is decisive: without action now, the opportunity to build a faster, fairer and more resilient response to future pandemics will narrow further.”

IPPS warns that 2026 represents a narrowing window to convert ambition into durable, operational systems capable of delivering faster, fairer and more coordinated responses to future pandemic threats.

“With IPPS concluding in 2027, France assuming the G7 presidency, and the UN High-Level Meeting ahead, 2026 represents our opportunity to translate frameworks into functioning systems. The Pasteur Network stands ready to support this work through our collaborative ethos, regional presence, and shared commitment to global health solidarity.”

Dr Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of Pasteur Network

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About the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS):

IPPS is an independent entity formed to catalyse scientific exchange and facilitate multidisciplinary engagement in support of the 100 Days Mission and accelerated DTV development. The Secretariat seeks to empower the community of implementation partners to maintain ambition, continuity, and accountability towards the achievement of the 100 Days Mission. IPPS is a time-limited entity due to complete its work in 2027.

About the 100 Days Mission:

Launched in 2021, the 100 Days Mission seeks to minimize the impact of pandemics by ensuring that safe and affordable diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines are ready for global deployment within 100 days of the identification of a pandemic threat. The implementation of the initiative is led by the IPPS in collaboration with governments, academia, and international organisations.

The Pasteur Network is proud to announce its official membership in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), strengthening our commitment to global health security and outbreak response.

About GOARN

GOARN is WHO’s collaborative framework that rapidly mobilizes specialized expertise and resources during disease outbreaks of international concern. The network connects institutions worldwide to ensure coordinated, swift responses to health emergencies—from Ebola and cholera to novel coronaviruses. Learn more: https://goarn.who.int

A natural partnership

With 32 member institutes across 25 countries, the Pasteur Network has long been at the forefront of infectious disease research, laboratory diagnostics, and public health response. Many Pasteur Network members were already part of GOARN, and our official membership now opens new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and rapid mobilization of expertise.

What this membership brings

Our network-level membership enhances our ability to:

• Deploy coordinated expertise rapidly during outbreaks
• Share critical knowledge and resources across borders
• Strengthen global epidemic preparedness and response capacity

This milestone reflects our ongoing collaboration with WHO, following our recent renewal as a WHO non-state actor for 2025-2027, and reinforces our role as a key partner in protecting global health.

The Pasteur Network Annual Meeting (PNAM) 2025, co-organized with the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, is set to take place from October 21–24 in the dynamic city of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This flagship event will convene leaders, researchers, and public health experts from across the Pasteur Network and beyond, offering a platform to address today’s most pressing global health challenges. Participants will engage in a rich programme of presentations, workshops, and discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and driving scientific innovation. With a focus on key topics such as epidemic preparedness, climate-sensitive diseases, and equitable health research, PNAM 2025 promises to advance solutions for global public health.

Event Focus

The meeting will address global health priorities through a dynamic program of plenary sessions, roundtables, and thematic discussions. Topics include the surveillance, immunity, and pathogenesis of arboviruses; respiratory and emerging viruses; bacteria, microbiota, and parasites; and the intersection of climate and health. The agenda also features sessions on vaccine manufacturing, community involvement in research, and gender equity in science.

A central focus of PNAM 2025 is the “40 Under 40” initiative, which highlights 40 emerging researchers under the age of 40 from across the Pasteur Network. These young scientists will lead six plenary sessions, showcasing their contributions to infectious disease research, public health innovation, and global collaboration.

These priorities align with the Pasteur Network’s strategic vision of reinforcing epidemic preparedness, fostering sustainable and inclusive research, and advancing knowledge sharing across its global community.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 21 at 5:00 PM (UTC+7) and will feature remarks from:

• Lan Hong Dao – Minister of Health, Vietnam
• Trung Nguyen – Director, Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City
• Mario Moreira – President, Pasteur Network
• Rebecca Grais – Executive Director, Pasteur Network
• Yasmine Belkaid – Vice-President, Pasteur Network

The keynote address will be delivered by Shomy Hasan Chowdhury, award-winning WASH activist and Co-Founder of Awareness 360.

The opening ceremony will be available to stream live on the Pasteur Network YouTube channel.

40 Under 40 Initiative

PNAM 2025 will feature the “40 Under 40” program, celebrating 40 emerging researchers under the age of 40 who have demonstrated excellence in scientific research and public health leadership. This initiative highlights the Pasteur Network’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of global health leaders. The program includes six plenary sessions covering:

• Arboviruses
• Community involvement in research and surveillance
• Climate and health
• Respiratory viruses
• Enteroviruses and emerging viruses
• Bacteria, microbiota, and parasites

Engagement and Strategic Discussions

Throughout the meeting, participants will engage in roundtables and parallel sessions focusing on strategic priorities:

• Strengthening epidemic preparedness with attention to climate-sensitive diseases
• Advancing research and innovation in diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments
• Building knowledge-sharing communities across the Network
• Promoting equitable and sustainable collaborations in global health research

Additional highlights include:

• A session on vaccine manufacturing in the Network
• Roundtables such as “When I Was in Your Shoes” and “The Early Career Reality check”
• A Women in Science panel

About the Pasteur Network

The Pasteur Network is an alliance of over 30 institutes that plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges through science, innovation, and public health. Its distinctive strength lies in its diversity and extensive geographic reach, spanning 25 countries across 5 continents, fostering a dynamic community of knowledge and expertise.

Recognized as a WHO non-state actor, members of the Pasteur Network are frequently embedded in local Ministries of Health. The Pasteur Network sustains a global infrastructure, including over 50 national and regional reference laboratories, multiple biosafety level 3 laboratories, and 17 WHO Collaborating Centers. (www.pasteur-network.org)

Press contact: Hichem Ben Hassine / news-pn@pasteur.fr

About the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City 

Founded in 1891, the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City is one of Vietnam’s oldest and most prominent public health institutions. Operating under the Ministry of Health, it provides epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and outbreak response across 9 southern Vietnam. The institute also leads research and training programs in microbiology, molecular biology, and public health, contributing to both national and international health efforts. (http://www.pasteurhcm.gov.vn/)

Press contact: Quang Duy Pham, khth@pasteurhcm.edu.vn

For more details about the event, consult the PNAM 2025 agenda :

The Pasteur Network Annual Meeting 2024 (PNAM), co-organized with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), is set to take place from October 21-23 in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This prestigious event will convene leaders and experts from across the Pasteur Network and beyond, offering a platform to tackle today’s most pressing global health challenges. Participants will engage in a rich programme of presentations, workshops, and discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and driving scientific innovation. With a focus on key topics such as epidemic preparedness, climate-sensitive diseases, and equity in health research, the PNAM 2024 promises to be a catalyst for advancing public health solutions worldwide. 

The meeting will address global health priorities, including climate change and its impact on infectious diseases like Dengue, epidemic preparedness for Mpox and Avian Influenza, as well as innovations in diagnostics, vaccine equity, therapeutics, gender and maternal health, and the role of AI in health research. These discussions align with the Pasteur Network’s strategic vision of reinforcing epidemic intelligence, promoting equitable collaborations, and fostering sustainable development in global health research. 

Opening Ceremony 

The opening ceremony will take place on Monday, October 21 at 6 PM (Rio de Janeiro UTC-3) and will be chaired by Mario Moreira, President of Fiocruz. It will feature remarks from key Brazilian officials, including Nisia Veronica Trindade Lima, Minister of Health of Brazil. Amadou Sall, President of the Pasteur Network & CEO of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of the Pasteur Network, and Yasmine Belkaid, Vice-President of the Pasteur Network and President of the Institut Pasteur, will also deliver opening remarks. 

Keynote presentations will be given by global health leaders, including Peter Piot, Professor at The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and President of the PN Strategic Advisory Board, and Manoel Barral Netto from Fiocruz Bahia, who will share their insights on critical global health issues. 

At 7:15 PM, the Talent Awards ceremony will take place, celebrating outstanding contributions within the Pasteur Network. This year, the award, funded by the Institut Pasteur, will honor a scientist who has demonstrated both scientific excellence and a strong commitment to sharing the work with the wider public through communication and engagement initiatives. 

Follow the Live Streaming 

The opening ceremony will be available to stream live on YouTube: 

Engagement and Strategic Discussions 

Throughout the event, participants will take part in a series of roundtables and parallel sessions focusing on the Pasteur Network’s strategic priorities: (1) strengthening epidemic preparedness with a focus on climate-sensitive health issues; (2) advancing research and innovation in diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments; (3) building knowledge-sharing communities; and (4) promoting equitable and sustainable collaborations. 

The meeting will also provide a platform for scientists from across the Network to present their research, furthering the professional development objective of the PNAM. 

For more details about the event :

About the Pasteur Network  
The Pasteur Network is an alliance of over 30 institutes which plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges through science, innovation and public health. Its distinctive strength lies in the diversity and extensive geographic reach, spanning 25 countries across 5 continents, fostering a dynamic community of knowledge and expertise.  
The Pasteur Network is recognized as a WHO non-state actor, and members of the network are frequently embedded into local Ministries of Health. The PN sustains a global infrastructure encompassing 50+ national and regional reference laboratories, which includes multiple Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories, and 17 WHO Collaborating Centers.  
For more information, consult the 2023 Pasteur Network report
Press contact: Juliette Hardy / news-pn@pasteur.fr  

About Fiocruz 
Fiocruz is the largest biomedical research institution in Latin America, also producing vaccines and medications to supply the Unified Health System (SUS). Linked to the Ministry of Health, it was established on May 25, 1900, to initially manufacture serums and vaccines against bubonic plague. Since then, the institution has undergone an intense trajectory that is intertwined with the development of public health in Brazil. Today, Fiocruz operates in 10 states, as well as the Federal District, and has an office in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, in Africa. In addition to its institutes based in Rio de Janeiro, it maintains units in the Northeast, North, Southeast, and South regions of Brazil. In total, there are 16 technical-scientific units focused on education, research, innovation, assistance, technological development, and outreach in the health sector. For more information, visit https://portal.fiocruz.br/en.

Press contact: Fiocruz / ccs@fiocruz.br 

On Monday, June 17th, in Paris, the Pasteur Network and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster their collaboration in global health initiatives. This agreement marks a significant step towards addressing infectious diseases and improving public health worldwide.

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation between the two organizations, focusing on several critical areas:

• Vaccine R&D Ecosystem: Strengthening vaccine research and development, particularly in the global South. This includes regional manufacturing of vaccines and enhancing public health responses to epidemic and pandemic emergencies.
• Training and Education: Supporting joint training and educational activities to build capacity and expertise in vaccine research and development.
• Collaborative Projects: Actively pursuing funding opportunities and developing joint proposals for research and training programs.

Rebecca F. Grais, Executive Director of the Pasteur Network, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “By combining our strengths and resources, we aim to accelerate vaccine development and improve accessibility, particularly in underserved regions. This collaboration is a crucial step towards our shared vision of a healthier world.”

Jerome H. Kim, Director General of IVI, echoed this sentiment: ‘Signing this MoU with the Pasteur Network will empower us to leverage our collective expertise and amplify our efforts in combating infectious diseases worldwide. This collaboration will support IVI’s capabilities in vaccine research and development, enabling us to tackle health challenges more effectively. Together, we will generate synergies to drive innovation of life-saving vaccines for the populations who need them most.’

The partnership will be guided by a Steering Committee, ensuring regular reviews and progress on collaborative projects. Both parties have committed to clear communication, transparency, and adherence to policies on anti-fraud, corruption, equity, and sustainability.

This MoU represents a strategic alignment of resources and expertise, setting the stage for innovative solutions to global health challenges. Together, the Pasteur Network and IVI are poised to make a lasting impact on global health, particularly in regions that are most vulnerable to infectious diseases.

About the Pasteur Network:
The Pasteur Network is an alliance of over 30 institutes which plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges through science, innovation and public health. Its distinctive strength lies in the diversity and extensive geographic reach, spanning 25 countries across 5 continents, fostering a dynamic community of knowledge and expertise.

The Pasteur Network is recognized as a WHO non-state actor, and members of the network are frequently embedded into local Ministries of Health. The PN sustains a global infrastructure encompassing 50+ national and regional reference laboratories, which includes multiple Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories, and 17 WHO Collaborating Centers.

The Pasteur Network’s work is guided by four strategic pillars: 1) Epidemic Preparedness, Intelligence, with focus on Climate sensitive diseases, 2) Research, Development, and Innovation, 3) Knowledge Communities, and 4) Good Governance and Equity.

Pasteur-network.org

About IVI:
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is a non-profit international organization established in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Program with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health.

IVI’s current portfolio includes vaccines at all stages of pre-clinical and clinical development for infectious diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, such as cholera, typhoid, chikungunya, shigella, salmonella, schistosomiasis, hepatitis E, HPV, COVID-19, and more.

IVI developed the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine, pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and developed a new-generation typhoid conjugate vaccine that also achieved WHO prequalification in early 2024.

IVI is headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, with a Europe Regional Office in Sweden, an Africa Regional Office in Rwanda, a Country Office in Austria, and a Country and Project Office in Kenya. IVI additionally co-founded the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute in Hong Kong and hosts Collaborating Centers in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Madagascar. Forty one countries and the WHO are members of IVI, and the governments of the Republic of Korea, Sweden, India, Finland, and Thailand provide state funding.

https://www.ivi.int.

On March 27, 2024, the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo was inaugurated by French President, Emmanuel Macron. As a member of the Pasteur Network, this institute, founded by the Institut Pasteur and the University of São Paulo, conducts international-level research in the field of health biology to further understanding of diseases and their impact on human health, especially in the context of climate change. The inauguration ceremony was hosted by Paola Minoprio, the Executive Director of the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, and brought together a high-level delegation, including Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur and Vice-President of the Pasteur Network, and Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior, Rector of the University of São Paulo. It was followed by a tour of the institute’s laboratories and discussions between the French President, researchers, students and Brazilian authorities. The inauguration of this structure comes just one year after the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, a Brazilian private non-profit association, signed its articles of association.

The delegation attending the ceremony also included, Vahan Agopyan, Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Marco Antonio Zago, President of FAPESP, Fernando Menezes, President of the Board of the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, Stéphane Séjourné, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Emmanuel Lenain, French Ambassador to Brazil, Sylvie Lemmet, Ambassador for Environment for the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), Yves Teyssier D’Orfeuil, Consul General of France in São Paulo, Rémi Rioux, CEO of the AFD, Antoine Petit, Chairman and CEO of the CNRS, Valérie Verdier, Chairwoman of the Board and CEO of the IRD, Elisabeth Claverie De Saint Martin, CEO of the Cirad, Catherine Lagneau, CEO of BRGM, Monique Barbut, President of WWF-France, Sophie Sidos, President of CCEF, Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of National Education and Youth from 2017 to 2022, Laurent Linguet, President of the University of Guyane, Anaïs Fléchet, historian, lecturer at the University Paris-Saclay (UVSQ).

The Institut Pasteur de São Paulo is a private, non-profit association, founded on March 31, 2023 by the Institut Pasteur and the University of São Paulo, following a collaboration agreement established in 2017. Based at the University of São Paulo, in the capital of São Paulo, Brazil, on a 2000 m² site within the university campus, the institute houses seventeen laboratories, four of which are high standing biosafety level 3 (NB3/NBA3).

The Institut Pasteur de São Paulo is a member of the Pasteur Network, an alliance of over 30 institutes which plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges through science, innovation and public health. It is the sixth member of the Pasteur Network in the Americas and the second Brazilian member, along with Fiocruz.

“This ceremony marks the outcome of years of dedicated collaboration with our esteemed partners, including the University of São Paulo, Fapesp, the Institut Pasteur, and the Pasteur Network. It represents a significant milestone not only for our institute but for all the talented teams at the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, whose relentless efforts have brought our vision to reality since its opening in 2019. Their unwavering commitment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left a mark on the history of our institution.“
Paola Minoprio, Executive Director of the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, member of the Pasteur Network

“President Macron’s visit to USP for the formal inauguration of the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo represents the international importance of the initiative. Brazilian and French researchers will share laboratories, which will undoubtedly further improve the quality of infectious disease research at USP. Based on the studies developed at the institute, we will certainly be better prepared to face future pandemics. The recent partnership with the CNRS, another important French research institution, is also part of USP’s internationalization policy.”
Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior, University of São Paulo (USP) Rector

” Throughout its history, Institut Pasteur has forged strong links with Brazil. The inauguration of the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo confirms our strong commitment to our Brazilian partners, to work in a close partnership for the health of all, both locally and internationally. I thank all the team of the Institut Pasteur of São Paulo, particularly the University of São Paulo and the FAPESP, for their admirable work in building this new Institute in such a rapid pace. Today, to respond to new global challenges, it is essential to study the health impact of climate change and the conditions of emergence of new pathogens. The scientific community must commit itself to a plural and collective approach, through the creation of multidisciplinary and international institutions. The vocation of Institut Pasteur, in conjunction with Pasteur Network, encompassing a strong and long-term relationship we have forged with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), has always been to support this humanistic and sharing dynamic in the service of people’s health.”
Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur, member of the Pasteur Network 

“We are proud to celebrate the inauguration of the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, a cornerstone institution of the Pasteur Network in the Americas. Nestled strategically within a biodiverse region, this institute embodies scientific excellence by harnessing cutting-edge facilities and expertise to tackle urgent global health issues, notably climate change and infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and dengue, which presently afflict this region. By aligning goals with the Pasteur Network, this high-level scientific institute will undoubtedly enrich our collective efforts and advance our mission to safeguard global health.”
Amadou Alpha Sall, President of the Board of Directors of the Pasteur Network

World-class research in Biological Science

The Institut Pasteur de São Paulo develops world-class research in Biological Science on communicable, non-communicable, emerging, re-emerging, neglected or progressive diseases that cause complex immune responses, produce nervous system disorders, and impact human and animal public health.

It has 6 research teams: Integrative Biology; Eco-epidemiology, Diversity and Evolution of Emerging Viruses; Modeling Nervous System Diseases; Trypanosomatid Infectious Processes; Vaccinology; Clinical and Molecular Virology.
The Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, formerly operating as the Pasteur-USP Scientific Platform since 2019, has published over 90 scientific papers, including research on COVID-19 and Zika syndrome to shed light on the pathogenesis of these viruses. It played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example in developing and testing several diagnostic methods for COVID-19.

The researchers involved with the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo share their areas of expertise, infrastructure, and cutting-edge equipment and approach with one and the same goal – to strengthen the development of joint initiatives, develop preventive, diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic methods in relation to the diseases studied, and promote innovation, technology transfer and knowledge sharing.

More information:
The steps leading up to the inauguration of the Institute  
The Institut Pasteur de São Paulo was created after a series of agreements over the 2015-2023 period.
For more information, visit the official Institut Pasteur de São Paulo website
Read the March 2023 press release on the Institut Pasteur website
Pasteur Network website

Press contacts :

Institut Pasteur de São Paulo : Angela Trabbold – angela@academica.jor.br

USP :  Erika Yamamoto – Erikayama@usp.br

Institut Pasteur (Paris) : Aurélie Perthuison and Myriam Rebeyrotte – presse@pasteur.fr

Pasteur Network : Juliette Hardy – juliette.hardy@pasteur.fr

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Climate change threatens to reverse decades of global development progress and puts the health and livelihoods of future generations in jeopardy. Data indicates a rapid increase in temperature, humidity and rainfall which negatively impacts health, agriculture and vulnerable populations including women. For example, increasing temperatures and rainfall from El Nino support growth of mosquitoes in new locations which previously did not support mosquito populations resulting in spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. There is an urgent need to invest in creative solutions that adapt and build resilience to these existing and future climate related challenges.

The Global Grand Challenges network of partners are pleased to announce a joint funding call of approximately USD 12M. This funding is aimed to support innovators addressing the critical intersection of climate change, health, agriculture, and gender. The partners include Science for Africa Foundation-Grand Challenges Africa; Grand Challenges Rwanda; Grand Challenges Brazil; Grand Challenges Ethiopia; and Grand Challenges India in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, Foundation S-The Sanofi Collective S, Rockefeller Foundation and Pasteur Network. This funding follows a 2022 climate and health call for applications by Grand Challenges Canada and the South African Medical Research Council-Grand Challenges South Africa.

“Climate change is one of the greatest global health challenges of our time. To help solve it, we need science to understand and address the climate and health crisis, especially to support actions that benefit and protect the most affected people and communities. By bringing different funders together under the common umbrella of the Grand Challenges partnership, we can ensure that promising scientific solutions to climate change are supported and delivered to achieve impact at scale,” said Alan Dangour, Director Climate and Health, Wellcome

We seek innovative projects utilizing transdisciplinary approaches to better adapt to, mitigate, or reverse the combined, deleterious effects of climate change on health, women’s lives, and agriculture. Preference will be given to innovations that are formulated locally or adapted from other contexts. We are especially interested in cross-cutting solutions at the intersection of multiple scientific and engineering disciplines and locally led, system-level innovations that are scalable and sustainable. This request for proposals by Grand Challenges partners will provide innovators with seed grants of up to USD 200,000 each for a period of 24 months to execute their visionary projects.

Announcing the request for proposals today on behalf of all Grand Challenges partners at COP28 session on Climate-Health Solutions Showcase’ in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Science for Africa Foundation, home of Grand Challenges Africa, CEO, Tom Kariuki said: “the people whose health and wellbeing are being harmed first and worst by the climate crisis are also the ones who contribute least to its causes, and who are least able to protect themselves and their families against it—namely people in low-income and disadvantaged countries and communities. In low-income settings, rising heat, extreme weather events, changes in precipitation patterns, shifts in duration and prevalence of climate-sensitive diseases (malaria, dengue, many foodborne and water-borne diseases), and increased potential for the emergence of novel diseases damage already weak primary health care systems and community health structures. Together with our partners, we are committed to fostering collaborative efforts to catalyse innovations that will safeguard the well-being of our communities and pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient future.”

“Grand Challenges India is keen to attract proposals that build resilient systems to mitigate climate change impact on agriculture and human health. Solutions may include responsive adaptation mechanisms, accurate surveillance and monitoring systems, predictive models, early detection of vector-borne, waterborne diseases, and infectious pathogens of concern. Strengthening research capacities, developing smart healthcare, integrating crop-livestock system to enhance agroecosystem resilience, soil health and biodiversity are some of the focus areas. The call would encourage research and innovation utilizing transdisciplinary approaches to better adapt and mitigate or reverse the combined, deleterious effects of climate change impact on agriculture and health in India.”  said Shirshendu Mukherjee, Mission Director, Grand Challenges India.

“Foundation S is pleased to support this public-private effort to strengthen community resilience to the impacts of climate change on health. Outputs of this work will help facilitate the much-needed evidence and data required to support innovative approaches for climate adaptation at the local level,” said Vanina Laurent-Ledru Director General, Foundation S.

“Continuing to make progress against diseases like malaria means addressing climate, health and development in a complementary way,” said Kedest Tesfagiorgis, Deputy Director of Global Partnerships & Grand Challenges at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “I’m excited to see the global network of Grand Challenges partners, including the seven partners from five continents supporting this call, contributing the diversity of expertise and perspective needed to foster cutting-edge, locally relevant innovation in communities around the world.”

The funding represents a pivotal step towards addressing climate change contributing to a healthier, more resilient future. Proposals should address the following critical areas: 

• Climate & health outcomes; including gender related impact
• Climate and nutrition
• Adaptation strategies for agriculture and income development, with a focus on women’s agriculture livelihoods. 
• Knowledge management and data integration of climate and health databases
• Effective response and resilient supply chains for crisis management

To read more and apply for this request for proposals please visit : https://gcgh.grandchallenges.org/grant-opportunities

About the Global Grand Challenges Network of Partners

The global grand challenges network of partners support innovative solutions to “Grand Challenges” in health and development with a vision for a world where local, regional, and global innovation ecosystems are thriving and fostering solutions in the places where they will have the most impact. Together, Grand Challenges (GC) partners have invested US$1.6 billion, awarding 3,800 grants to a diverse pool of scientists and researchers in 118 countries. These include various GCs and their host institutions below:

• Grand Challenges Africa, Science for Africa Foundation
• Grand Challenges Canada, Government of Canada
• Grand Challenges South Africa, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
• Grand Challenges Rwanda, Rwanda’s National Council of Science and Technology (NCST)
• Grand Challenges Brazil, Brazil’s Ministry of Health
• Grand Challenges Ethiopia, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and hosted at Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI)
• Grand Challenges India, India’s government, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistant Council (BIRAC)

In addition to national government funding, these GCs are also supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, Foundation S -Sanofi Collective, Rockefeller Foundation and Pasteur Network.

Media Enquiries:
Juliette Mutheu, Corporate & Science Communications

j.mutheu@scienceforafrica.foundation