INTERnational Cooperation of high containment research infrastructures: from Epidemic Preparedness TO Response

Project Information

INTERCEPTOR

Grant agreement ID: 101132215

DOI

10.3030/101132215

EC signature date 19 September 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Research infrastructures

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 1 498 076,69

Coordinated by

EUROPEAN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE ON HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AGENTS
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INTERCEPTOR (INTERnational Cooperation of high containment research infrastructures: from Epidemic Preparedness TO Response)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how essential high-containment laboratories (HCLs) are for global health security. These specialised facilities (Biosafety Level 3 and 4) are indispensable for studying highly pathogenic viruses, developing vaccines and treatments, and responding to outbreaks. Yet, they are scarce, costly to operate, and unevenly distributed across the world. Cooperation between them has historically been fragmented, leaving gaps in global preparedness.

The INTERCEPTOR project (INTERnational Cooperation of high containment research infrastructures: from Epidemic Preparedness TO Response) was launched in January 2024 to address this challenge. Coordinated by ERINHA, INTERCEPTOR brings together Europe’s leading high-containment infrastructures with major partners from Africa, North America, Asia, and Oceania. Its objectives are to:
1. Create new opportunities for researchers worldwide to access HCL infrastructures, resources and expertise.
2. Reinforce biorisk management and ensure safe, standardised operation of facilities.
3. Promote harmonisation of practices and knowledge on critical resources to strengthen outbreak response.
4. Demonstrate the value of responsible, global cooperation between HCLs.

By building an inclusive and sustainable international network, INTERCEPTOR aims to increase research capacity, improve interoperability, and ultimately strengthen preparedness and response to future epidemics and pandemics.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During its first 18 months, INTERCEPTOR established a solid governance framework, delivered all planned management documents (Project Management Handbook, Data Management Plan, Dissemination & Communication Plan, and Policy Brief), and integrated five new Associate Partners through an amendment.

Key scientific and technical achievements include:
• Biorisk management: A Community of Practice for HCL engineers was created, with regular exchanges and training activities prepared for RP2. Leadership training needs were surveyed, and training on the ISO 35001 biorisk management standard was designed alongside a practical gap-analysis tool.
• Mapping resources and services: Monthly meetings and analyses fed into the Interceptor Inventory and Gap Analysis survey (launched May 2025), providing the first harmonised baseline of critical resources across partner institutions.
• Service catalogue: A dedicated survey was launched to map services, trends, and user demand. An initial catalogue was prepared and work has begun to extend mapping to international HCLs outside the consortium.
• International engagement: Two Memoranda of Understanding (Brazil and South Africa) and seven Letters of Intent (Europe, Asia, North America) were signed. More than 20 international HCLs have been engaged, broadening the network’s reach and increasing opportunities for access by external researchers.

Together, these steps have positioned INTERCEPTOR as a unique and trusted platform for strengthening cooperation and interoperability among the world’s most secure laboratories.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

INTERCEPTOR goes beyond existing initiatives by offering an inclusive, service-oriented and globally connected network of HCLs. While other networks exist, none provide structured opportunities for external user access, harmonised training, or sustained collaboration across continents.

The project’s innovations include:
• A first-of-its-kind inventory and gap analysis across global HCLs.
• New training resources on engineering, leadership and international biorisk standards.
• Development of a shared service catalogue, enabling future joint access mechanisms.
• Expansion of cooperation beyond Europe, with partners from Africa, the Americas and Asia.

To ensure further uptake, INTERCEPTOR is preparing a long-term sustainability plan, exploring links with WHO, OECD, CEPI and other global initiatives. This will help anchor the network within international frameworks and policy agendas.

logo-interceptor-interceptor-quadri.jpg