It has been six years since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and there continues to be sustained ongoing transmission of the virus in the human population. There is also the threat of another coronavirus pandemic with the discovery of novel bat coronaviruses that are capable of infecting human cells. Altogether, suggesting the need to combat the threat by urgently advancing critical coronavirus research priorities.
In response, following its 2024 Pathogens Prioritization Framework, WHO’s R&D Blueprint Team launched the Collaborative Open Research Consortiums (CORCs) to promote coordinated global research on priority pathogen families. The Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE) in Singapore is leading the coronavirus CORC (CORC-CoV). A six-month thorough consultation was conducted amongst more than 150 members in the CORC-CoV has yielded a comprehensive roadmap that lists out key needs and priorities. The six themes that encompasses the spectrum of coronavirus research are: ecology and transmission, virus biology, immune responses, detection technologies, medical countermeasures, biosafety and biosecurity.
You are invited to review and provide expert input into this draft R&D roadmap.
Please be specific in your inputs so that these are actionable and reference the exact theme (1–6), section (primary challenges, key needs, knowledge gaps, milestones, research priorities), and bullet point.
Please submit your comments to ncid.corc.cov@nhghealth.com.sg and rdblueprint@who.int by 28 February – date after which the public consultation will be closed.