EVORA has implementing the project task according to the EC rules and the Grant Agreement (WP1). WP3, aimed to develop project visibility and identify routes for innovation and exploitation to maximise post-project impact creating an EVORA visual identity, launching the website and communication channels. Dedicated outreach to industry was initiated via the Industry Focus Group.
WP5, oversaw the creation of EVA AISBL, marking a significant milestone for the EVORA sustainability, while a first draft of a term sheet has been structured between RIs for progressively adopting a collaboration framework. WP6, aiming to consolidate and test the administrative and legal framework for operating EVORA, designed 3 virus outbreak scenarios to test the EVORA framework and gain insights into the response mechanisms of the consortium while identifying the weaknesses in coordination, including administrative and legal aspects.
WP7 focused on the creation of a unified operative language to reinforce pandemic preparedness by facilitating FAIR and open data practices in virology. A common semantic framework (ontology) for describing virology-related resources in a unified way was created, consistent with the reference taxonomy for virology (ICTV) and data deposition workflows compatible with standard repositories. WP8 assessed and supported the quality management of virus collections and biorisk management, drawing on the experience of EVA and ERINHA in applying Quality Management best practices for virus collections and for conducting experiments in high-containment settings. In addition, WP8 supported EVORA institutes in implementing the requirements of risk assessment and management for IVD-R.
EVORA WP9 aims to guide end users towards Nagoya Protocol (NP) compliance of viral resources and propose a “Roadmap for digital viral resources” for increased transparency of viral resources. The legal clarity of French resources in the EVA catalogue was improved, as France reinstated the exemption for certain microbes from the NP and Access and benefit Sharing (ABS) procedures. An open letter was sent to the WHO requesting a briefing for researchers on the next steps for the PABS negotiations. EVORA WP10, aiming to bridge the gap between ‘research use only’ laboratory developed tests and IVD-R commercial assays, in order to facilitate preparedness and response activities, drafted an IVDR requirements protocol and identified several barriers in both peace and crisis situations. Finally, WP11, addressing common ethics and security concerns related to service provision to users, has drawn on existing knowledge from EVORA partners, collecting information on guidelines, practices and procedures from institutes of the EVORA RIs on the management of in vivo studies and dual-use research in order to ensure ethical and regulatory compliance.
