ERINHA: Framework for the biological high containment research infrastructure

STOA – AVIESAN WorkshopJune 19th 2012, European Parliament, Brussels

Time table:

Inclusion in the ESFRI roadmap in December 2008. A three steps project:

Preparatory phase: 36 months, funded by EU. Construction and validation phase: 1-3 years, national

funds. Operation phase: at least 20 years, national funds.

Submission of the ERINHA proposal to Call 6: FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES-2010-1 for preparatory phase funding; December 2009. Signature of the grant agreement; November 2010. kick off meeting; November 2010.

Global objective:

To strengthen the EU capacities in the fields of diagnosis and study of highly pathogenic infectious micro-organisms

Facing a grand challenge related to:

Emergence et re-emergence of highly pathogenic microorganisms (Nipah, H5N1, CCHF, BT…)

Occurrence of bioterrorist attack using risk group 4 pathogens

Activities to be conducted:

Diagnosis Research

To develop diagnosis tools, therapeutic and prophylactic means

Ranking from academic to finalized Including animal experimentations

Need for access to BSL-4 containment facility where the following services must be provided:

Biosafety and biosecurity Training Experimentation Scientific support Management of collection Access to biological resources

HPA

Inserm

PUM

BNI

INMI

SMI

NCE

Present situation (1)Running BSL-4 laboratories in EU

Present situation (2)

Restricted capacities in EU Restricted number of experts in this field and all focused on virology Restricted/No access for some EU scientist Willingness of some country to build without expertise Evolution of the regulation and creation of new standards No coordination despite existence of networking activities

Specific challenges

Building of BSL4 area is very costly and needs very specific expertise

Maintenance is also costly and can not be neglected to ensure proper protection of workers and environment

HPA

Inserm

PUM

BNI

INMI

SMI

NCE

The ERINHA project proposes the creation of a distributed Pan European BSL-4 laboratory

Each National laboratory: Brings part of its capacities to built ERINHA Proposes access capacities Share common procedures and practices Share reagents

Impact foreseen:

Improve response to health threatsEfficient use of resources Access to BSL-4 facilitiesBoost the European competitivenessAccess to research fundsScientific Advancement

Organization of work:

WP1: Management issues, Financial aspects and consortium agreement

WP2: Strategy and commitmentsWP3: Governing structure and legal statusWP4: Technical work: Design considerations and estimating

construction costs for new BSL4 areasWP5: Definition, harmonization, standardization and dissemination of

best practices in the management of biosafety and biosecurity issues in BSL4 laboratories and for associated biological resources centers

WP6: Access to BSL4 infrastructure for academic research, industrial research, and diagnosis activities

WP7 Research and diagnosis pilot activities

Partners and associated partners:(20 partners, 15 countries, 13 associated partners)

Thank you for your attention