Since 2016, CIDRAP has been engaged in the development of R&D roadmaps for four priority pathogens (Ebola/Marburg, Lassa, Nipah, and Zika viruses) identified in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics. These roadmaps are focused on R&D of medical countermeasures (diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines) for each of the priority pathogens.
At the outset of the WHO R&D Blueprint Initiative, pathogen-specific R&D roadmaps were considered an integral component of the program. In 2022, the WHO revised its strategy for epidemic/pandemic preparedness, with a renewed focus on entire classes of viruses or bacteria rather than individual pathogens. However, pathogen-specific roadmaps are still highly valuable to inform future directions and investments in preparedness for pathogens with epidemic potential.
CIDRAP’s work in this area includes the following:
- Ebola / Marburg, Nipah, and Lassa viruses: From 2016 – 2018, CIDRAP worked with the WHO and Wellcome, with funding from Wellcome, to develop R&D roadmaps for Ebola / Marburg, Nipah, and Lassa viruses. Advanced drafts of those roadmaps can be found on the WHO website.
- Zika virus: From 2019 – 2021, CIDRAP worked with the WHO and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), with funding from the WHO, to develop an R&D roadmap for Zika virus. (An advanced draft of the roadmap is available on the WHO website: Zika Virus Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap: Advanced Draft. August 2021.
- Lassa and Nipah Virus: In 2023, CIDRAP, with funding from Wellcome, engaged expert working groups for Lassa fever and Nipah virus to update the 2019 versions of these two R&D roadmaps. The updates reflect recent literature and consensus opinion of the expert working groups. The updated 2024 roadmaps are available on the CIDRAP website:
- A Research and Development Roadmap for Lassa Fever: 2024 Update
A Research and Development Roadmap for Nipah Virus: 2024 Update
- Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). In 2023, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) with funding from the Welcome Trust, convened a working group of 20 experts from CCHF-affected countries and international R&D scientists, to update the 2019 advanced draft WHO CCHF R&D Roadmap. This update reflects scientific advances in the last five years and the consensus opinion of the CCHF working group. For convenience, the 2024 updated CCHF roadmap is available on the CIDRAP website alongside similar roadmaps for Nipah and Lassa viruses:
- A Research and Development Roadmap for CCHF: 2024 Update
CIDRAP WHO Roadmap Development Staff
