ERINHA: Framework for the biological high containment research infrastructure STOA – AVIESAN Workshop June 19th 2012, European Parliament, Brussels

Time table:  Inclusion in the ESFRI roadmap in December  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 for preparatory phase funding; December  Signature of the grant agreement; November  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 threats  Efficient use of resources  Access to BSL-4 facilities  Boost the European competitiveness  Access to research funds  Scientific Advancement

Organization of work:  WP1: Management issues, Financial aspects and consortium agreement  WP2: Strategy and commitments  WP3: Governing structure and legal status  WP4: Technical work: Design considerations and estimating construction costs for new BSL4 areas  WP5: 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