Proposal for Updating and Finalizing WHO Research and Development (R&D) Roadmaps for Lassa, Nipah, and Zika viruses

Research and development (R&D) roadmaps are a valuable tool for guiding R&D efforts to prevent and control high-priority pathogens with epidemic potential. From mid-2017 through 2018, with funding from Wellcome, CIDRAP developed R&D roadmaps for Lassa, Ebola/Marburg, and Nipah viruses. From 2019 through 2021, CIDRAP developed a similar roadmap for Zika virus with funding from WHO. Draft roadmaps were submitted to WHO, but were not published owing to capacity restraints during the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for the roadmaps has not diminished and all parties involved are interested in finalizing three of them (for Lassa, Nipah, and Zika viruses); however, before they can be published, each requires thorough review and updating to incorporate recent scientific advancements and developments in the respective fields. CIDRAP proposes to conduct an 11-month project aimed at publishing the Lassa, Nipah, and Zika virus R&D roadmaps on the WHO website. Key activities include updating the roadmaps; reinvigorating the previously established expert taskforces for each roadmap and ensuring appropriate geographic balance of members; conducting in-person taskforce consultations; finalizing and delivering the roadmaps to WHO; supporting roadmap launch activities (depending on timing and resources); and preparing manuscripts for publication in open-access journals to share results of this work.