Business Daily Media

Men's Weekly

.

Leading global scientists launch the Pandemic Research Alliance for concerted research and collaboration

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 December 2023 - World-renowned professors from six leading institutions in four countries launched the Pandemic Research Alliance (PRA) on 4 December to drive concerted research into respiratory viruses from animals to humans, improved surveillance, and new solutions to better manage the next pandemic.



This is the first alliance of its kind bringing together scientists from Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. PRA, which is anchored by Professor Yuen Kwok-Yung, a microbiologist from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and acclaimed Columbia University AIDS pioneer Professor David Ho, aims to leverage the specific expertise of each institution to produce joint output. The founding members institutions and representatives of PRA also include Doherty Institute – University of Melbourne, represented by Professor Sharon Lewin; Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, by Professor Wang Linfa; Guangzhou National Laboratory, by Professor Zhong Nanshan; and Tsinghua University, by Professor Zhang Linqi. Professor Chen Zhiwei from HKU will serve as PRA Secretary-designate.

"PRA will involve research sharing and collaboration to bring together some of the leading minds internationally in virology and related disciplines to jointly seek solutions to pressing issues before the next pandemic hits," said Professor Yuen.

The alliance will focus on assessing the potential for animal viruses to jump to humans using artificially grown organoids, as well as faster tests to detect the first human case infected by a novel virus with pandemic potential, and to design drug treatment and vaccines pre-emptively before such outbreaks.

"Given the history of pandemics, we expect more emerging infectious disease outbreaks, one of which may cause the next pandemic within another decade or so. By launching this alliance today, we are effectively gearing up to protect lives and avert future disruptions to our way of life," said Professor Ho.

Members will share information on emerging infectious agents for early outbreak alerts, as well as research materials and reagents to provide a rapid research response. Aims for the next pandemic include ensuring early alerts, responses and control through rapid molecular testing, minimising mortality with a broad spectrum of antiviral or neutralising antibodies and developing a universal vaccine platform to manufacture a specific vaccine in the shortest possible time frame. Through this research output, the alliance hopes that normal life could be maintained if there is another pandemic, with no city lockdowns or school closures.

Hashtag: #HKUMed

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News from Asia

HKPC Makes Its Debut at China International Industry Fair 2025

Leading Future Manufacturing with AI Taking 54 Hong Kong Enterprises to Explore Overseas Opportunities HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 September 2025 - Hong Kong Productivity Counc...

PAObank and China Ping An Insurance (Hong Kong) Launch Strategic Partnership, Bringing Integrated Banking and Insurance Solutions, Shaping a Digital Bank with Insurance DNA

PAObank 5th Anniversary Treasure Reward UNLOCK High-Interest Time Deposit and Travel Insurance All in OneHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 September 2025 - PAO Bank Limited ("PAObank")...

MINT Incorporation Limited Announces the Launch of New Subsidiary, Axonex Intelligence Limited, Expanding into Smart Facility Management Solutions

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 September 2025 - MINT Incorporation Limited (NASDAQ: MIMI) ("MINT" or the "Company"), a leading Hong Kong-based provider of integrated interior design...

Merlin Entertainments' LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Hong Kong Halloween Special Event: "Monster Party" Unleashes a Brick-or-Treat Adventure

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - From now until 2 November 2025, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Hong Kong, part of Merlin Entertainments Group, invites LEGO® fans of all a...

Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific appoints CEO for Hong Kong Hub

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific is pleased to appoint Hassan Omaish to the role of CEO for Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan (collectiv...

Parisian Luxury Debuts in Bangkok: Rabbit Holdings, under BTS Group, in cooperation with Ananda Unveil "THE RESIDENCES 38" Bangkok’s Ultra-Luxury Condominium with First-Ever Private Fine Dining Kitchen—Together with La Clef Bangkok by The Crest Collection

The French Art de Vivre comes to Sukhumvit 38, combining the ultra-luxury living of The Residences 38, the refined hospitality of La Clef Bangkok by The Crest Collection, and exclusive private dini...

Hongkong Land's BaseHall becomes Hong Kong’s first F&B venue to achieve "Triple Platinum" green building certifications

Hongkong Land sets a new industry benchmark in F&B sustainability, achieving platinum certifications across BEAM Plus, LEED and WELL standards HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach N...

Iglesia Ni Cristo's Care for Humanity Provides Support to International Students and Newcomers in Nine Canadian Cities

TORONTO, CANADA - ACCESS Newswire - September 16, 2025 - The Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation, the charitable arm of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church of Christ, expanded its global outreach ...

DL Holdings x Bitmain/Antalpha Miner: Hong Kong's First Bitcoin Hashrate Stock

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - After trading hours on 15 September 2025, DL Holdings Group Limited (HKEX: 1709) announced a major strategic cooperation with Fortune ...

Green SM expands all-electric taxi service to Bekasi, supporting the city’s smart mobility vision

BEKASI, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - Green SM, the pioneering all-electric taxi service under GSM, has officially launched in Bekasi. From today, residents and visitor...

Manny Shah: Is your business disappearing from Google? You’re not alone

Small business owners across Australia are panicking as their websites vanish from Google’s front pages overnight. According to Manny Shah, cofounde...

MR Roads named Queensland Finalist in the 2025 Telstra Best of Business Awards

MR Roads, co-founded by Daniel Mikus and James Rolph, has been announced as a Queensland finalist in the prestigious 2025 Telstra Best of Business...

AWS research shows strong AI adoption momentum in Australia, with startups outpacing large enterprises in innovation

Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, released new research revealing that while artificial intelligence (AI) adoption continues to acce...

Changing the World One Bite At a Time: IKU Turns 40

One of Australia’s first plant-based, chef-led eateries and now ready meal provider IKU is celebrating its 40 year anniversary with the business e...

Three generations marking 45 years in hot-air balloons

Australia’s leading hot-air balloon company is celebrating 45 years in the sky and its 700,000th passenger, driven by the passion of father-son du...

Workplace DMs, Reinvented: Deputy Messaging, Purpose-Built For Shift-Based Teams

Deputy, the global people platform for shift-based businesses, has launched Deputy Messaging, a fully integrated, real-time communication tool designe...

Sell by LayBy