Project description
Comprehensive cohort studies of SARS-CoV-2 variants
The EU-funded END-VOC consortium will support the European and global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) using well-characterised cohorts and links to existing initiatives. The consortium includes 19 partners from countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will elucidate the global circulation of the virus variants and their characteristics to identify control strategies, support the development of diagnostics and evaluate the impact of VOCs on vaccination strategies. Specific objectives of END-VOC will include the use of phylogenetic prediction tools and mathematical modelling, sentinel surveillance in low and middle-income settings and cohorts of travellers, evaluation of VOC immunity, and application of artificial intelligence for the prediction of long COVID.
Objective
The END-VOC consortium will support the European and global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Variants of Concern (VOC) through well characterised cohorts and linked with existing European and international initiatives. END-VOC consists of 19 partners in Europe (UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Italy), South America (Brazil and Peru), Africa (Mozambique, South Africa, Nigeria and 13 ANTICOV African countries), Middle East (Palestine) and Asia (India, Pakistan, Philippines) with a focus on countries affected by VOCs and VOIs. We will elucidate the global circulation of the current and emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and their characteristics, including transmissibility, pathogenicity and propensity to cause reinfection, to support best control strategies and the development of diagnostics; evaluate the impact of VOCs on the effectiveness of different vaccines and vaccination strategies; and assess the implications of VOCs on the choice of optimal treatment options. END-VOC will also investigate how VOCs alter long-term post-infection sequelae and where new VOCs emerge within hosts using our clinical cohorts. We will inform future preparedness and response working closely with international and national public health organisations and existing cohort consortia. Specific beyond state-of-the-art components of END-VOC include the use of novel phylogenetic prediction tools and mathematical modelling; generation of powerful cohorts through sentinel surveillance in low and middle income settings and cohorts of travellers to increase our global reach; use of novel predictive modelling of clinical outcomes by VOC and comorbidity/treatment and evaluation of differences in natural and vaccine immunity by VOC; antiviral screening models within cohorts and an artificial intelligence driven tool for the prediction of long COVID.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligence
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiologypandemics
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusescoronaviruses
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccines
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
WC1E 6BT London
United Kingdom
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Participants (23)
20122 Milano
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20122 Milano
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69120 Heidelberg
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08036 Barcelona
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
08036 Barcelona
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08007 Barcelona
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
08007 Barcelona
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0456 Oslo
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1105 BP Amsterdam
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900108 Abuja
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
Kampala
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1211 Geneve
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110017 New Delhi
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21040 900 Rio De Janeiro
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
21040 361 Rio De Janeiro
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3555 Dudelange
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00972 JENIN
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08916 Badalona Barcelona
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44000 Islamabad
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1101 Quezon City
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1929 VILA DA MANHICA MAPUTO
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1202 GENEVE
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1649 028 Lisboa
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.