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Wellcome pledges £10 million to tackle COVID-19 epidemic

Wellcome is making a pledge of up to £10 million to accelerate research and support global efforts to tackle the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

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Wellcome pledges £10 million to tackle COVID-19 epidemic
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Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome, said: "This virus is spreading at unprecedented scale with cases passing between people in multiple countries across the world. We know this is going to be challenging to control, but many unknowns and uncertainties remain. 

"Accelerating research to build knowledge and inform the global response is critical to protecting health, saving lives and ending this epidemic. Wellcome is pledging up to £10m to support urgently needed research."

Jeremy Farrar added: "The only way to get ahead of this epidemic, to ensure the best public health preparation and response, and to protect lives globally is to put science and research at the heart of the response. Over the past two days the global effort to further enhance the research agenda has been phenomenal. 

“Thanks to the World Health Organization, to researchers, country governments, industry, journal editors and funders from every country and continent we now have a clear plan of immediate and longer-term priorities to build a robust global response. Crucially there is unambiguous commitment to solidarity and to equitable access to all advances made.

“We must continue to unite behind this international effort, making sure no country is left behind, and without forgetting the support needed for those continuing to tackle the many other health challenges faced by different communities globally, including Ebola.”

More information

For general enquiries contact epidemics@wellcome.org. For media enquiries contact mediaoffice@wellcome.org.