Abbott today announced the creation of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Consortium, a world-class scientific and public health partnership dedicated to early detection and rapid response to pandemic threats in the future. By linking global centers of excellence in laboratory testing, genetic ordering and public health research, the program will identify new pathogens, explore potential risk levels, develop and using new diagnostic tests quickly and assessing public health impacts in real time.
Image Credit: Abbott
The consortium is designed to help the global scientific and health community identify new viral threats, take swift action when one is discovered, and to prevent future pandemics. The sequences of the viruses detected will be published in a public database so that health officials and laboratories can work together to determine whether it is a novel strain, or a previously detected virus. seo. This program expands on the viral detection and detection work that Abbott has conducted over the past three decades.
We cannot fight the things we do not see coming. This program establishes a global network of ‘eyes on the ground’ that are always on the lookout for threats, help the global health community stay one step ahead of the next viral threat, and allow us to experience and use Abbott technology to rapidly develop experiments to address them. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a clear need for advanced screening and viral sequencing – and the critical role of testing. Understanding the pathogenic hazards we are exposed to will help us test, detect and hopefully help prevent the next pandemic. “
Gavin Cloherty, Ph.D., Head of Infectious Disease Research, Abbott
Abbott helps look for COVID-19 variants and ensures COVID-19 testing is effective
Abbott plays an important role in helping to monitor for new changes or mutations to the virus that causes COVID-19. The company collects virus samples from around the world and looks for any changes (mutations) in the genetic sequence of the virus.
With decades of experience in viral analysis, Abbott specifically designs his experiments, including COVID-19 experiments, with viral evolution in mind. As new series are discovered, Abbott analyzes them robustly to make sure the diagnostic tests find them. The consortium provides the network to collaborate with other key institutions on this effort.
A global force of scientists was targeting external viruses
The new Abbott Pandemic Defense Consortium is made up of global collaborators who specialize in virus identification, analysis, sample collection, testing and data analysis. The process of identifying new viral threats begins with physicians across the network identifying patients with unknown conditions that they cannot treat or diagnose. Next, patient samples will be tested with our partners at a global level, followed by genetic sequences and analyzes to identify trends and identify specific factors that may pose a threat or revolution. -out that appears. If a potential risk is found, Abbott will quickly develop a diagnostic test to aid in containment efforts.
Abbott’s growing network of partners includes organizations in strategic geographical locations:
- Colombia / Wisconsin One-Health Consortium at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin, Colombia
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formations (IRESSEF), Dakar, Senegal
- KRISP, Genomic Center of KwaZulu-Natal University, Durban, South Africa
- Rush University Health System, Chicago, USA
- University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica
- Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- YRG Care, Chennai, India
Abbott is in talks with additional NGOs, governments and research centers of excellence in terms of participation and collaboration.
In a smart network like the Abbott Pandemic Defense Consortium, we have access to best-in-class science and technology that makes data collection, analysis and sharing efficient and effective. Collaboration is the key here; it would not be possible for one laboratory or organization in one country to test and study this breadth and scale but by connecting centers of global excellence it is possible for all of us to help identify the next potential risks to public health. “
Professor Souleymane Mboup, President of the Institut de Recherche en Santé, Surveillance Epidemiologique et de Formations (IRESSEF) of Dakar, Senegal
The history of hunting viruses around the world – and a dedicated future to further advance this vital work
As a leader in blood screening and infectious disease testing, Abbott created its Global Viral Screening Program more than 25 years ago to monitor for HIV and hepatitis viruses and to identify mutations, which will help ensure that tests are The company’s diagnostics remain up-to-date and allow researchers to proactively evaluate and resolve infectious disease challenges. This screening program will now form part of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Consortium.
Through their investigative efforts, the company recently announced the discovery of a high level of HIV Administrators – a group of people living with HIV controlled without antiretroviral medication in the Democratic Republic. Congo, which may be the main method of treatment. Abbott also announced that a new strain of HIV was detected in 2019.
And looking ahead, Abbott will focus on digital trials and solutions that will be accessible to more people in more locations for many of the world’s most important health challenges, including infectious diseases. This work is also an important part of Abbott’s 2030 sustainability strategy that includes a focus on transforming the care of infectious diseases. Across his industry and through collaboration, Abbott will create new technologies to detect and diagnose infectious diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, malaria and hepatitis, as well as the widespread threats of tomorrow.