Task Force Covid 19

Since early 2020, the AXA Research Fund has collaborated with the Institut Pasteur, a world-renowned biomedical research center, to advance scientific understanding and develop concrete solutions against the Covid-19 pandemic. This partnership supports research projects at the interface of epidemiology, diagnostics, therapeutic innovation, and vaccine development.

The Institut Pasteur, at the forefront of infectious disease research for over 130 years, mobilized unprecedented resources to respond to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. More than 450 scientists from 69 teams engaged in Covid-19 research, producing 79 publications, filing 19 patents, and establishing over 78 industrial collaborations in diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics in 2020 alone.

The AXA Research Fund’s support enabled the Institut Pasteur to accelerate strategic projects, from understanding the virus’s biology and pathogenesis to developing innovative diagnostic tests, modeling epidemic progression, and creating multiple vaccine candidates. This rapid mobilization was made possible by Pasteur’s multidisciplinary expertise, international network, and strong hospital, academic, and industrial partnerships.

Flagship projects supported under this partnership include:

• Epidemiological modeling of Covid-19 spread and control measures

  Development of real-time models to predict epidemic trends, evaluate the impact of lockdowns, and inform public health strategies.

• Innovative diagnostic tools

  Creation of the first French RT-qPCR test for SARS-CoV-2, rapid RT-LAMP tests for decentralized detection, and novel serological assays to assess population immunity.

• Therapeutic strategies

  Screening of existing drugs and antibodies for antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, leading to the identification of promising candidates for clinical evaluation.

• Vaccine research

  Advancement of several vaccine platforms, including a lentiviral vector vaccine showing strong preclinical efficacy and an innovative DNA vaccine approach.

Beyond research, the partnership also focused on:

• Open sharing of viral genomic sequences via the GISAID platform to accelerate global research.

• Training and scientific exchange across the Institut Pasteur International Network.

• Public engagement and communication to combat misinformation and promote science-based decision-making.