The Pandemic Research Alliance (PRA) is proud to announce its official launch, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to combat respiratory viruses and enhance pandemic preparedness. The PRA, the first alliance of its kind, brings together world-renowned professors from six leading institutions across four countries. Anchored by Professor Yuen Kwok-Yung from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Professor David Ho from Columbia University, the PRA aims to foster collaborative research, improved surveillance, and innovative solutions to effectively manage future pandemics.
The founding member institutions of the PRA include the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Columbia University, Doherty Institute - University of Melbourne, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Guangzhou National Laboratory, and Tsinghua University. These esteemed institutions have joined forces to leverage their unique expertise and resources, pooling their knowledge to address the pressing challenges of pandemics.
"The PRA will serve as a platform for leading scientists in virology and related disciplines to collaborate and seek solutions to pressing issues before the next pandemic strikes," said Professor Yuen Kwok-Yung, Chairperson-designate of the alliance. "Through research sharing and joint output, we aim to make a meaningful impact on global pandemic preparedness."
The PRA's research agenda will focus on crucial aspects such as assessing the risk of animal viruses jumping to humans, developing faster tests for early detection of novel viruses, designing pre-emptive drug treatments and vaccines, and sharing critical information for early outbreak alerts. By fostering rapid molecular testing, developing a broad spectrum of antiviral or neutralizing antibodies, and creating a universal vaccine platform, the PRA aims to minimize mortality and enable the maintenance of normal life during future pandemics, without the need for city lockdowns or school closures.
"By launching the PRA, we are proactively gearing up to protect lives and prevent future disruptions to our way of life," emphasized Professor David Ho, renowned for his groundbreaking AIDS research. "Given the history of pandemics, we must anticipate and prepare for emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The PRA will play a pivotal role in enhancing global readiness and response."
The PRA's founding members have a long history of collaboration, exemplified by their joint efforts during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003. Building upon this foundation, the PRA aims to expand its membership to include experts from the Pacific Rim and other regions, fostering a truly global approach to pandemic research.
To mark its official launch, the PRA held a signing ceremony at HKU, presided over by University President Professor Xiang Zhang and HKU Dean of Medicine Professor Chak-sing Lau. The ceremony was followed by the PRA's inaugural scientific symposium on pandemic virus research, bringing together experts from the Pacific Rim and Asia.
The PRA is committed to publishing joint research and maximizing the impact of its findings to enhance global pandemic preparedness. With a strong foundation of collaboration and expertise, the PRA is poised to make significant contributions to the field of pandemic research and protect lives worldwide.
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