The GVN represents 39 Centers of Excellence and six affiliates in 24 countries and comprises foremost experts in every class of virus causing disease in humans. The GVN is a global authority and resource for the identification and investigation, interpretation and explanation, control and suppression, of viral diseases posing threats to mankind. It enhances the international capacity for reactive, proactive and interactive activities that address mankind-threatening viruses and addresses a global need for coordinated virology training through scholarly exchange programs for recruiting and training young scientists in medical virology.
The GVN also serves as a resource to governments and international organizations seeking advice about viral disease threats, prevention or response strategies, and GVN advocates for research and training on virus infections and their many disease manifestations.
“The foundation’s mission synergizes so closely with that of the GVN’s mission”
“We were unanimous in our decision to induct the Mérieux Foundation into the GVN,” said Robert Gallo, who is co-discoverer of HIV and The Homer and Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor in Medicine, director, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, a GVN Center of Excellence. “We are so pleased that the foundation’s mission synergizes so closely with that of the GVN’s mission. The GVN looks forward to building its international capacity with the help of the foundation’s world renowned clinical biological laboratories, collaborative research and training programs, and local initiatives.”
The Mérieux Foundation’s mission is to contribute to global health by strengthening local capacities of developing countries to reduce the impact of infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, HIV or Zika fever, on vulnerable populations. The foundation offers a specific model based on a long history of expertise in clinical biology and a comprehensive approach to public health issues. Its international scientific network, GABRIEL, brings together researchers in 16 countries to work on collaborative applied research programs.
“Better structure international cooperation in the field of research on infectious diseases”
The Mérieux Foundation’s research network comprises 3 laboratories in Africa, 4 in the Americas, 8 in Asia, and 4 in Europe and the Middle East. “We look forward to joining forces with the Global Virus Network and contributing our expertise to strengthen an already impressive organization,” says Benoît Miribel, Director-General of the Mérieux Foundation. “We have an existing strong presence in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. In partnership with the GVN we will better structure international cooperation in the field of research on infectious diseases, a pillar of our work, and help train the next generation of medical virologists.”
“Adding the Fondation Mérieux to the GVN will boost GVN’s already impressive mission to combat deadly diseases,” said Guy Vernet, PhD, senior staff scientist Advanced Bioscience Laboratories Inc. (ABL), board of advisors member, Merieux Foundation USA and board of directors member, GVN. “The foundation’s impressive laboratories and diagnostics programs are key components of the public health response to epidemic infectious diseases, especially in resource-limited, tropical countries, and they will boost GVN’s resources, expertise and capabilities tremendously.”
About the Global Virus Network (GVN)
The Global Virus Network (GVN) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, comprised of leading medical virologists from 24 countries. The GVN’s mission is to combat current and emerging pandemic viral threats through international collaborative research, training the next generation of medical virologists, and advocacy.