WHO research and development blueprint: evaluation of ideas for potential platforms to support development and production of health technologies for priority infectious diseases with epidemic potential

Overview

On 21 July 2016, a 2nd Technical Workshop on R&D platform technologies was convened at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva with the goal of presenting the 6 most meritorious proposals emerging from the WHOpublic consultation1 on platform technologies, for consideration by interested WHO Member States and relevant R&D funders. Launched by WHO in October 2015, this public consultation is one activity within the WHOResearch and Development (R&D) Blueprint2, a global effort pioneered by WHO to increase R&D preparedness for future epidemics. The focus of this 2nd technical workshop was on having concise technical presentations of the six final proposals while fostering an enabling environment for bilateral and/or multilateral discussions around potential future collaborations and/or support, between proponents and interested WHO members states and other organizations which fund R&D. After a brief overview of the WHO R&D Blueprint, information was provided on the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI); and following a summary of the public consultation process since its launch, the six finalists (3 vaccines, 1 diagnostics, 1 immunotherapy, 1 covering all product streams) presented their ideas in open sessions.