02 Feb The NIH-led research response to COVID-19

Investment, collaboration, and coordination have been key.

By Francis Collins, Stacey Adam, Christine Colvis, et al, Science

Though the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed the lives of at least 6.5 million individuals worldwide, is not yet over, it is not too soon to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the research response and some of the lessons that can be learned. Much important research has investigated key public health and clinical issues such as masking, indoor air ventilation, and prone ventilation. But, arguably, no research has been more innovative and impactful than that of the biomedical community around vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Drawing on our experience leading US-driven elements of this global biomedical research effort, we review here major cross-sector initiatives led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its partners. We outline key milestones (see the figure) and crucial lessons learned, with the goal of informing and guiding the research community’s response to future pandemics.

As emphasized by the Lancet Commission and many others, COVID-19 has reaffirmed the importance of international coordination in addressing public health challenges. The US biomedical research community has learned much from—and shared much with—their international partners. Yet it is also essential to recognize the value of sustained learning and constant preparation because, in the past, many aspirational goals have failed to be fully realized. Read more …