The Pandemic Institute

The Institute was founded in 2021^[1] with a mission to tackle emerging infections and ensure that the world will never again be as unprepared for a pandemic as it was in December 2019. Its establishment built upon Liverpool’s existing strengths in infectious-disease research, including the work of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections (since 2014^[2]) which was active in the UK response to Ebola, Zika and COVID-19. The Institute launched with an initial philanthropic donation of £10 million awarded to the region in recognition of Liverpool’s life-saving research and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its first director was Matthew Baylis.^[3] In 2022 he was succeeded by professor of neurology Tom Solomon.^[4]

TPI's mission is providing a comprehensive response across the pandemic lifecycle: from predicting pathogen emergence, through preparation and response, to recovery.

Its three core pillars are:^[5]

• Predicting pathogen emergence and, though surveillance, preventing spread
• Preparing for likely threats though the 100 Days Mission
• Responding and recovering through clinical & social interventions

In addition, TPI emphasises collaboration with industry, academia, healthcare and civic partners as an essential component of its strategy.

The Institute is a partnership of multiple academic, healthcare and civic organisations based in the Liverpool city region. Key founding partners include:

• University of Liverpool
• Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• Liverpool John Moores University
• University Hospitals of Liverpool Group
• Liverpool City Council
• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• Knowledge Quarter Liverpool

The leadership of TPI is headed by Professor Tom Solomon CBE FRCP FMedSci (Professor of Neurology) who serves as Director of the Institute.