PANTHER (the PANdemic preparedness plaTform for Health and Emerging infectious Response), developed out of the lessons learned and experience gained during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ANTICOV trial. 

PANTHER logo

Launched in late 2022, PANTHER aims to contribute to the control of future epidemics or pandemics on the African continent through a flexible ‘ready-to-use’ clinical research platform, supporting preparedness and rapid response through the development and assessment of adapted tools, starting with therapeutics and vaccines in Africa. PANTHER will prepare and provide human, technical, and scientific expertise on emerging infectious diseases through a network of equipped and experienced African research centres with healthcare sites in key population centres and more remote locations. African leadership will ensure alignment at the political and strategic level. 

PANTHER’s founding members are leading African scientific groups (CVD-Mali, FCRM, IRBD, and KEMRI) along with ANRS, BNITM, DNDi, ISGlobal, and ITM. DNDi is incubating the platform during its start-up phase by providing infrastructure support, expertise, and seed funding. 

‘PANTHER will go where early cases of target diseases are, with 80% ready-made Emergency Research Kits, which can be rapidly adapted to the specific local and immunity/ disease needs. So instead of traveling 300-600 km with samples, we can test on the spot, share and assess the results, then move safely and rapidly onto clinical trials, save lives.’

Dr Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft, General Delegate, PANTHER