New £10m research base launches in Liverpool to tackle future pandemics

A new £10 million research base has opened in Liverpool to help prepare and respond to any future pandemics.

The Pandemic Institute aims to revolutionise how the world reacts to future health threats and will assess the response of communities and the healthcare system, including looking at medicines and vaccines.

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At a glance: 5 Key Points

• The Pandemic Institute is a civic partnership between the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowledge Quarter (KQ) Liverpool.

• It launched on Monday 13 September, with its headquarters based at The Spine in Paddington Village.

• The institute is being funded by a £10 million donation from Innova Medical Group, a rapid antigen Covid test manufacturer and distributor.

• The launch comes following a pilot in Liverpool in November last year of community mass testing, after which Covid-19 cases fell by a fifth.

• Liverpool also hosted several pilot events as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme (ERP), which looked at how events can take place again while reducing the chances of people contracting Covid-19.

What’s Been Said

Professor Matthew Baylis, director of the institute, said: “The Pandemic Institute has the potential to help revolutionise how the world responds to pandemics.

“Uniquely, it will take a holistic view, from looking at future threats through to the response of communities and the healthcare system as well as treatments such as medicines and vaccines.

“Liverpool is perfectly placed to be the home for the Pandemic Institute – building on the foundations laid so far in the city, and its significant contributions in this field, Liverpool is a global city with expertise in many fields relevant to pandemics, including medical, tropical and veterinary research.

“We appreciate Innova’s support of the Pandemic Institute, and recognise the impact and significance of their generous gift for the city of Liverpool and wider global community.”

Background

More than seven million Covid-19 cases have been detected in the UK since the pandemic broke out last year and with uncertainty still ongoing, it is hope the new research hub will help the country to better prepare for any future health threats.

Liverpool has been a leading figure of global pandemics research for many years and has a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) department, which is one of five in the UK.

Daniel Elliott, chief executive and president of Innova Medical Group, added: “Innova is committed to improving pandemic outcomes globally and we were attracted to Liverpool after being impressed by the unparalleled amount of large-scale pilot research programmes and the guidance on global public health policy that Liverpool provided during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are passionate about supporting organisations that will make a difference and it is clear now that pandemics are the biggest threat to the health of the world’s population, and that is why we are excited to support Liverpool’s partners with the Pandemic Institute, which has the potential to save lives and improve health outcomes for communities across the globe.”

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