GVN meeting in Monaco highlights pandemic preparedness and a need for collaboration

7 December 2023

Dr Rubeshan Perumal, Senior Scientist joined leading scientists, academics, and captains of industry at the annual three-day information sharing meeting on cutting-edge discoveries of the Global Virus Network (GVN) hosted in partnership with the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM, a GVN Affiliate) and the Government of Monaco.

Perumal discussed his work on co-leading the Global Virus Network (GVN) Long COVID Task Force and said that middle to low-income countries, with the help of funders across the world, have made an important investment in science over the decades, such as with HIV.

“This has positioned us to have a robust clinical trial network allowing us to have a robust response to COVID-19. My work in diagnostics and epidemiology, and in understanding long-term COVID, has positioned our GVN Task Force to launch initiatives aimed at achieving global consensus about the nature of the long COVID, the key scientific priorities, and the need for advocacy to encourage the development of diagnostics and treatment options for Long COVID.” 

Long COVID is a substantial burden to society, explained Perumal, and is under-studied in the most vulnerable socio-economic groups.  “This is a global problem and needs a global solution that we are working on through the GVN”, he said.

Participants in this segment included Dr Robert Gallo, Co-Founder and Chair of the Scientific Leadership Board of the Global Virus Network.  There were productive discussions between H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the GVN on the state of pandemic preparedness and need for global collaborations, particularly in small nations.  Concluding the discussion, H.R. H. Prince Albert II of Monaco said, “You can count on our support, and we thank you for your work. We are committed to supporting you – the Global Virus Network.”

Dr Sten Vermund of the Yale School of Public Health, and newly appointed President of the GVN, announced that the 2024 GVN Annual Meeting will be held in Durban, South Africa.