The Pandemic Institute
| Established | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Chair | Tom Solomon |
| Location | Liverpool, England |
| Website | Official website |
The Pandemic Institute (TPI), founded in 2021 and based in Liverpool, England, is a collaboration of academic, healthcare, civic and industrial partners dedicated to predicting, preparing for and responding to emerging infections and pandemic threats.
History and background
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]
Mission, vision and research pillars
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.
Founding partners and structure
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.
References
- ^ "Pandemic Institute: Liverpool research base opens". BBC News. 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
- ^ Morgan, Jennifer (2024-11-07). "£5.5M funding boost for emerging and zoonotic infections research - University of Liverpool News". News. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
- ^ "Pandemic Institute: Liverpool research base opens". BBC News. 13 September 2021. Archived from the original on 9 March 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ Frost, Nicola (2022-05-25). "Professor Tom Solomon appointed Director of The Pandemic Institute - University of Liverpool News". News. Archived from the original on 9 March 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ "The Pandemic Institute – Tackling emerging infections and pandemic threats". Retrieved 2025-11-06.