Global health experts, including Yuen and Ho, team up in Pandemic Research Alliance

Health experts from six institutions around the world, including the University of Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung and Columbia University virologist David Ho Da-i have teamed up to create the “Pandemic Research Alliance” - a global alliance for conducting research in emerging infectious diseases.

The alliance, which also comprises experts from the mainland, Singapore, and Australia, aims to promote collaborative research on respiratory viruses that can be transmitted between humans and animals and enhance the surveillance capacity for emerging infectious diseases. 

The alliance's research focuses on assessing the transmission capabilities of animal viruses, stepping up detection of potential pandemics, and developing therapeutic drugs and vaccines before outbreaks.

Members of the alliance will also share information on emerging infectious diseases and exchange research materials and reagent information.

The alliance has set goals, including using rapid molecular testing for early warning, implementing timely response and control measures, utilizing broad-spectrum antiviral drugs or neutralizing antibodies, and producing vaccines in the shortest possible time to reduce mortality risk.