iiCON (Infection Innovation Consortium), a global collaborative infectious disease research and development programme, has secured funding from the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) to establish a major pan-European network aimed at improving the continent’s preparedness and response to infectious disease threats.

The newly funded initiative, titled the Pan-European One Health Network for Infectious Diseases Detection, Monitoring and Prevention, will bring together more than 70 collaborators from 21 countries and several international organisations. Scheduled to officially launch in October 2026, the network seeks to create a more coordinated and preventive approach to tackling infectious diseases by integrating expertise across human, animal and environmental health sectors.

COST Actions are four-year, researcher-driven networks that support collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange across Europe. Through this framework, iiCON’s new initiative will foster cross-border cooperation and accelerate the development of practical solutions to address emerging infection risks.

The network adopts a One Health approach, recognising the interconnected nature of human, animal and environmental health. It will unite a diverse group of stakeholders including scientists, clinicians, veterinarians, engineers, computer scientists, small and medium-sized enterprises, policymakers and civil society organisations. Together, they will work to develop, validate and deploy innovative technologies and strategies for detecting, monitoring and preventing infectious diseases.

Participating countries include Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, alongside international organisations.

The initiative also places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and capacity building. Forty percent of collaborators are young researchers and innovators, while women represent 57 percent of participants. Additionally, more than half of the participating countries are classified as Inclusiveness Target Countries, reflecting the programme’s commitment to broadening research participation across Europe.

The project is being led by Professor Patryk Kot, Head of the Infection Innovation Technology Laboratory under iiCON. According to Kot, the funding will help establish an end-to-end innovation pipeline that strengthens public-private collaboration and accelerates the translation of research into practical healthcare solutions. He noted that the network will play a key role in improving Europe’s resilience and preparedness against future infectious disease threats while promoting standardised approaches across national borders.

Professor Janet Hemingway, Founding Director of iiCON, highlighted the increasing complexity of infectious disease challenges and stressed the importance of international cooperation. She noted that knowledge sharing, collaborative innovation and harmonised systems are essential to developing effective responses to global infection risks.

The initiative seeks to address several longstanding barriers that hinder the translation of scientific research into real-world healthcare solutions. These challenges include fragmented disease surveillance systems, poor interoperability of data, limited predictive modelling capabilities, slow regulatory processes and unequal access to diagnostic technologies across regions.

To tackle these issues, the programme has established six dedicated working groups focused on harmonising surveillance frameworks, developing interoperable data systems, advancing AI-powered diagnostic and predictive tools, supporting capacity building, aligning innovation with regulatory and policy frameworks, and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in infectious disease innovation.

Funding from COST will support a range of educational and capacity-building activities, including training programmes, mentorship initiatives, scientific exchange missions and multi-sector workshops. These efforts aim to equip the next generation of researchers and practitioners with the skills and experience needed to drive future innovation in infectious disease management.

Expected outcomes from the project include standardised terminology, interoperable digital architectures, validated diagnostic technologies, regulatory roadmaps and innovation guidelines that can be adopted by healthcare systems, researchers and policymakers. These resources will be made available through open-access platforms to encourage widespread adoption and collaboration.

Founded in 2020 with support from UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund, iiCON brings together industry, academia and healthcare partners with the shared goal of combating infectious diseases through collaborative research and innovation. The new COST-supported network marks a significant step forward in strengthening Europe’s collective ability to detect, monitor and respond to infectious disease threats.