Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced the formation of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition, a first-of-its-kind global scientific and public health partnership dedicated to the early detection of, and rapid response to, future pandemic threats
| ABBOTT PARK, Ill., March 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott Laboratories(NYSE: ABT) today announced the formation of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition, a first-of-its-kind global scientific and public health partnership dedicated to the early detection of, and rapid response to, future pandemic threats. By connecting global centers of excellence in laboratory testing, genetic sequencing and public health research, the program will identify new pathogens, analyze potential risk level, rapidly develop and deploy new diagnostic testing and assess public health impact in real time. The coalition is designed to help the global scientific and health community identify new viral threats, take quick action when one is discovered, and help prevent future pandemics. The sequences of the viruses that are found will be published in a public database so that health officials and laboratories can work together to identify if it’s a novel strain, or a virus that has previously been detected. This program expands upon the viral surveillance and discovery work that Abbott has performed over the last three decades. “We cannot fight what we cannot see coming. This program establishes a global network of ‘eyes on the ground’ that are always looking for threats, which helps the global health community to stay one step ahead of the next viral threat, and allows us to utilize Abbott’s expertise and technology to quickly develop tests to address them,” said Gavin Cloherty, Ph.D., head of infectious disease research at Abbott. “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated a clear need for advanced surveillance and viral sequencing – and the critically important role of testing. Understanding what pathogenic threats are emerging will help us test, diagnose and hopefully help prevent the next pandemic.” Abbott is helping look for COVID-19 variants and ensuring COVID-19 tests are effective With decades of experience in viral surveillance, Abbott specifically designs its tests, including COVID-19 tests, with viral evolution in mind. As new strains are discovered, Abbott vigorously analyzes them so it can ensure its diagnostic tests can detect them. The coalition provides the network to collaborate with other leading institutions on this effort. A global force of scientific experts focused on outsmarting viruses Abbott’s growing network of partners includes organizations in strategic geographic locations:
Abbott is in talks with additional non-governmental organizations, governments and research centers of excellence regarding participation and collaboration. “In a sophisticated network like the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition, we have access to best-in-class science and technology that makes data collection, analysis and sharing efficient and effective,” said Professor Souleymane Mboup, president of Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidemiologique et de Formations (IRESSEF) of Dakar, Senegal. “The key here is collaboration; no single lab or organization in any one country would be able to conduct testing and analysis of this breadth and scale but connecting global centers of excellence makes it possible for us all to assist in identifying the next potential threats to public health.” A history of hunting viruses around the globe – and a future dedicated to further advancing this vital work Through its surveillance efforts, the company recently announced the discovery of a high prevalence of HIV Controllers – a group of people living with controlled HIV without antiretroviral medications in the Democratic Republic of Congo1, which could hold the key to a cure. Abbott also announced the finding of a new strain of HIV in 20192. And looking ahead, Abbott will focus on testing and digital solutions accessible to more people in more places for many of the world’s most pressing health challenges, including infectious diseases. This work also is an important part of Abbott’s 2030 sustainability strategy which includes a focus on transforming the care of infectious diseases. Across its business and through collaboration, Abbott will create new technologies to detect and monitor infectious diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, malaria and hepatitis, as well as tomorrow’s pandemic threats. About Abbott Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews. References
SOURCE Abbott | ||
Company Codes: NYSE:ABT |
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