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The Nexus of Innovation and Global Health
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Welcome to the latest edition of Future Thinking.
At the beginning of this month, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a "global health emergency". The statement represents a major step towards ending the pandemic and comes three years after it first declared its highest level of alert over the virus.
This declaration also provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the past three years. There can be no doubt that the speed of the scientific communities' response to COVID-19 was not only unprecedented but an important glimpse into what could be possible by connecting the world's biggest investors to its brightest minds.
In this edition, we want to explore the post-pandemic boom in this fascinating world of biosecurity and its implications for our future.
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Top Trends in Biosecurity
The most significant recent breakthroughs have come through the incorporation of AI and Machine learning into all facets of the clinical process.
In genomic analysis, AI has facilitated complete genomic sequencing of patients in a radically reduced time frame. In testing, new technology efficiently and comprehensively interprets data sets to identify diseases. The two combined has produced a boom in personalised medicine; genomic data can be used to identify hereditary diseases an individual is susceptible to, the most effective preventative programme, and tailor treatments directly to their DNA. This is a trend FPC investee companies 23andMe, Congenica, Arctoris and Ikarovec are at the forefront of.
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🧬 Pathogen Surveillance and Detection: Advancements in sequencing technology have enabled faster and more precise identification of pathogens, helping to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Researchers, exemplified by the work of Harvard University’s Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Broad Institute, are now able to monitor emerging strains, predict their virulence, and model their potential impact on public health.
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Synthetic Biology for Biosecurity: Synthetic biology is a game-changer in the fight against infectious diseases. By engineering microbes with tailored functions, scientists can create novel vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tools. FPC’s own investee company, Vaccitech, has pioneered development in this space. As featured in our last Future Thinking edition, it is best known for its development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine which saved 6.3 million lives in the first year of its roll-out.
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🤖 AI and Machine Learning in Genomic Medicine: As our ability to produce genomic data increases exponentially, AI and machine learning are becoming indispensable tools for analysing and interpreting these vast datasets. Deep Genomics and Stanford University are using AI to rapidly identify patterns and relationships within the data. FPC portfolio company Arctoris is also an example of using AI and robotics to accelerate drug discovery and trials. This helps predict the emergence of new diseases, develop new treatments, and guide personalized medicine, leading to more accurate diagnoses, better patient outcomes, and a stronger defence against potential pandemics.
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Global Collaborations for a Safer World: The threat of bioterrorism as a component of war looms large and we must recognise the importance of international cooperation in biosecurity. Numerous initiatives have recently emerged to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, resources, and expertise. These collaborations aim to build a global network of researchers, healthcare professionals, and policy makers working together to address emerging biosecurity threats and ensure a more resilient future.
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Ethical Considerations in Biosecurity: Pursuing developments in biosecurity, as with many other sectors, is not always straightforward. Many new technologies, such as those that give us greater control over the human genome, raise important ethical questions. Others, such as the capacity to better understand and modify pathogens, pose severe risks. There are no easy answers but addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure that biosecurity innovations are developed and deployed responsibly and equitably.
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A report from UNEP and ILRI describes how the novel coronavirus is part of a growing trend of zoonotic diseases that have jumped from animals into the human population.
The drivers of this trend – including climate change and an increased demand for meat – are on the rise.
It is clear that we must work together, the biggest investors and the brightest minds, to try to stop the pandemics of the future.
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