Strengthening Europe’s response to infectious disease threats
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’s capacity for controlling and responding to emerging and epidemic infectious diseases is urgently needed.
Building a network for connected preparedness
The EU-funded ISIDORe(opens in new window) 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 “ISIDORe 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,” explains project coordinator Audrey Richard. 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.
Cross-Europe coordination against current and future outbreaks
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. 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. “A major achievement of ISIDORe was the smooth coordination of a diverse range of facilities, enabling timely cross-infrastructure service provision,” emphasises Richard. Beyond its achievements, ISIDORe, represented by ERINHA(opens in new window), has been strategically anchored within the European Pandemic Preparedness Partnership Be Ready Now, set to launch in 2026. This will ensure the scientific readiness of Europe against highly infectious disease threats.
Success stories
To illustrate ISIDORe’s concrete achievements, the Success Stories section of the ISIDORe website(opens in new window) showcases multiple examples of how the programme has supported excellence-driven research and innovative projects. These stories demonstrate how coordinated, open access to Europe’s research infrastructures can translate into faster and more effective preparedness and outbreak response research outcomes. A targeted surveillance study focused on the highly pathogenic Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Corsica provided baseline data on vector distribution and infection status. It enabled a more accurate assessment of the CCHFV emergence risk. Given the impact of environmental change on vector and pathogen dynamics, such surveillance efforts are central to strengthening early-warning capacity. The Mpox response stands out as one of ISIDORe’s major success stories. During the 2022 outbreak, when rapid and accessible testing was urgently needed, ISIDORe supported the development of a simple point-of-care tool for fast Mpox detection. This effort delivered a practical diagnostic solution that strengthens preparedness for future Mpox events and other re-emerging viral threats. Moreover, ISIDORe offered regulatory advice, preclinical guidance, and access to clinical testing as demonstrated by the development of a fast-acting formulation blocking SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection.
