[A summarized unofficial version of the press release]

Korea-U.S.-Japan Seeks to Enhance Research Collaboration on Preparedness and Response

to Emerging Infectious Diseases

- The Korea National Institute of Health (NIH), in collaboration with U.S. and Japan’s research institutes, hosted the 2024 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Pacific Rim (EID) along with the 2^nd International Symposium for Infectious Disease Research Institutes Cooperation (IDRIC).

-  The conference’s sessions mainly focused on the Development Strategies and Plans for the Vaccines and Therapeutics in Preparation for the Novel Infectious Disease Pandemic, exploring Collaborative Measures for the Rapid Development.

Osong, 1st of April 2024 ━ The Korea National Institute of Infectious Disease (NIID) of the Korea National Institute of Health (NIH), an affiliated research institute of the KDCA, held the 2024 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Pacific Rim (EID) in Grand Hyatt Hotel from March 5 to 8.

*The EID is an international conference to promote discussions to address major public health issues such as emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pioneered by the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Medical Sciences Program (USJCMSP).

The Korea NIID and Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) co-hosted the conference, in partnership with International Vaccine Institute (IVI), as requested by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID).

The conference began with welcome remarks by Commissioner Youngmee Jee of the KDCA, followed by Dr. Diane E. Griffin, University Distinguished Service Professor of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Dr. Hiroshi Kiyono, Distinguished Professor of Chiba University Hospital. Subsequently, there were 7 sessions that presented research findings and international cooperation activities and exchanged views to tackle emerging infectious disease under the theme of “Pandemic Preparedness and the Rapid Emergence of Pathogens caused by Global Environment Change.”   

Along with this event, the 2^nd International Symposium for Infectious Disease Research Institutes Cooperation (IDRIC) was held by the Korea NIID on March 8 to facilitate collaboration among research institutes at home and abroad.  

This year’s symposium consisted of 4 sessions* under the theme of “Rapid Development Strategies and Plans for the Therapeutics in Preparation for the Novel Infectious Disease Pandemic,” aiming at accelerating the development of

vaccines and therapeutics in line with the National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan unveiled in May 2023.

* 4 sessions include: Characteristics of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Clinical Studies; Current Status and Strategies for the Development of Therapeutics for Emerging Infectious Diseases; Outstanding Achievements in the Development of

Vaccines for Emerging Infectious Diseases; and Current Status and Strategies in the Development of Vaccines for Emerging Infectious Diseases.

This event was joined by Commissioner Youngmee Jee of the KDCA, Deputy Minister Younghyun Park of Korea NIH, President Heechang Jang of Korea NIID,

Jerome Kim of International Vaccine Institute (IVI), and other figures from related institutions in both the public and private sector, which belong to the collaborative body of infectious disease research institutes* to share the latest research findings and exchange views for further fostering cooperation.

*The collaborative body of infectious disease research institutes was established with the MOU signing in November 2021 to foster outcome-oriented and inter-institutional collaboration, led by 20 related government agencies including Korea NIID.

KDCA Commissioner Youngmee Jee said, “We are strongly determined to strengthen our response capacities to the future pandemics with home-grown vaccines and therapeutics, rather than relying on other countries' help. To this end, we will provide full and continuous support for R&D on locally-developed mRNA platform and other related technologies.” She added, “It is expected that the country’s locally developed technologies such as mRNA vaccines and AI-based therapeutics could act as a significant asset for infectious disease prevention and non-communicable disease treatment.” 

* For detailed information, please refer to the press release written in the Korean language in the file attached below.