Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious diseases

Exposing volunteers to infectious diseases for research may seem unconventional, but when conducted safely and under controlled conditions, it provides invaluable insights. These studies help deepen our understanding of infectious diseases and enable the testing of vaccines and treatments. In response to the threat of future pandemics, INFECT-NL secured a €9.5 million grant from ZonMw last year. After completing a feasibility study, the initiative is now set to move forward.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, public awareness of infectious diseases surged, even in wealthier countries that had previously been less affected. One of the initiators of INFECT-NL and infectious disease specialist Prof. Dr. Meta Roestenberg (Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC)) explains: "More people now understand the societal impact of infectious diseases. Everyone remembers how we eagerly awaited a vaccine during the COVID pandemic." The pandemic accelerated the creation of INFECT-NL, which aims to consolidate expertise and launch new research efforts, including controlled human infection studies where volunteers are exposed to pathogens.

Pooling Knowledge and Resources

INFECT-NL is a collaboration among leading university medical centers, including Amsterdam UMC, Radboudumc, UMC Utrecht, and Leiden University Medical Center. Prof. Dr. Joppe Hovius, the liaison from Amsterdam UMC and the Amsterdam institute for Immunology & Infectious diseases (AI&I) within INFECT-NL, highlights the initiative’s potential for broader impact through shared expertise: "It is a unique collaboration, in which in the future more academic centers will participate. By sharing our knowledge and experience, we can make a global difference”. The initiative also includes partners like the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) and the Centre for Future Affordable Sustainable Therapy Development (FAST).

Controlled Human Infection Studies and the Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious diseases

Human challenge models, where volunteers are intentionally infected to test for example new vaccines, are also becoming increasingly popular among biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Traditionally, these studies were conducted exclusively by academic centers. Due to their complexity and the need for rigorous controls, not all infectious diseases are suitable, and it’s crucial to carefully monitor the infection’s progress and intervene when needed. INFECT-NL also provides non-academic partners access to its facilities and expertise. Prof. Dr. Hovius; ‘AI&I contributes expertise on ticks and tick-borne diseases, as well as our established human tick challenge model. Our involvement in INFECT-NL also opens opportunities for AI&I researchers to develop, or have access to, other controlled human infection models.’

International Collaboration

The Netherlands is a leader in human infection studies, thanks to strong regulatory bodies and a growing biotech industry. Although capable of conducting much of the research independently, INFECT-NL is part of a global network. This international cooperation will drive the development of new therapies, with each partner focusing on its area of expertise.

Exploring New Treatments

INFECT-NL operates as a foundation with a social mission. Profits from commercially viable research projects are reinvested into developing medicines and models that might otherwise go unfunded. This includes research not only into future pandemics but also into new antibiotics to combat growing resistance, and other infectious diseases. INFECT-NL’s facilities are open for research on a wide range of infections, from viruses to parasites. However, should a pandemic arise, the focus will immediately shift to providing rapid solutions.

Preparing for Future Pandemics

The question is not if, but when the next pandemic will strike. INFECT-NL’s facilities are designed to quickly adapt to pandemic research. While future pathogens remain unknown, studies are already underway to anticipate possible scenarios. For instance, LUMC is researching OC43, a coronavirus that causes only the common cold but could help test vaccines targeting a wide range of coronaviruses.

This article is a revised version of an article originally published in Dutch on ZonMw. Access the original piece here.