Consortium & Work Packages
At the heart of LEAPS is a strong team of professionals built from multidisciplinary expertise and embedded in a strong network.
The team brings together top-level experts specialised in the fields of biomedical sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Together, we drive LEAPS forward, committed to shaping a future where communities are safeguarded against pandemics through foresight, science, and collaboration.
Our team comes from diverse European countries representing different epidemiological landscapes and health system resilience.
Each has previously proven their competency through successful EU collaborations in virus surveillance (SARS-CoV-2, H1N1), accelerated drug development for COVID-19 and and the One Health European Joint Programme.
The research will go beyond individual results by engaging in trans-disciplinary research approaches based on systems thinking.
The LEAPS project is supported by a distinguished consortium of partners, bringing together a wealth of expertise in public health, research, and innovation.
Work Packages
The LEAPS Consortium is organized into 9 WPs, each addressing a distinct project objective. These packages bring together partners from leading European institutions, ensuring a broad spectrum of expertise and perspectives.
This collaborative structure is designed to leverage the strengths of each member, facilitating the achievement of the consortium’s goals through a coordinated and integrated approach.
WP1
Non-targeted analytic surveillance
This work package aims to further develop genomic technologies for accelerated surveillance and detection of pathogens with pandemic potential using a One Health approach.
Statens Serum Institut
5 Artillerivej – DK-2300 Copenhagen S DENMARK
WP2
Targeted pre- and post- analytic surveillance
This work package aims to design, develop and deliver molecular and target-specific assays for improved surveillance of pathogens with pandemic potential in humans, animals and their environments according to the One Health perspective.
Institut Pasteur
25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, FRANCE
WP3
Epidemiological modelling and molecular epidemiological approaches
This work package combines epidemiological and molecular epidemiological methodologies to analyze and predict the spread of infectious diseases.
WP lead: Guy Baele. KU Leuven, Rega Institutet.
REGA Institute for Medical Research
Herestraat 49 – box 1030
B-3000 Leuven BELGIUM
WP4
Threat assessment and governance modelling
This work package will develop a dynamic, model-based tool for assessing health emergency threats and guiding governance responses.
WP lead: Paulo Gonçalves. Università della Svizzera Italiana.
Via Buffi 13
6900 Lugano, Svizzer
WP5
Countermeasure screening and development
This WP focuses on developing medical countermeasures (CMs) for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and WNV. It emphasizes the creation of biological tools and assays for screening and response evaluation.
WP lead: Pelagia Foka. Hellenic Pasteur Institute.
Hellenic Pasteur Institute
Vas. Sofias Av (N. 127)
115 21, Greece
WP6
Timely and effective epidemic response scenario modelling
This work package offers policy decision support for EU-level and harmonized national-level response strategies through systems modelling and scenario analysis.
WP lead: Catherine Decouttere. Access-to-Medicines Research Centre.
Access-To-Medicines Research Institute
Vlamingenstraat 83,
3000 Leuven, Belgium
WP7
Policy recommendation, stakeholder validation and roadmap to implementation
This work package will investigate the socio-cultural factors involved in disease transmission to develop a Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication (DEC) strategy.
WP lead: Nico Vandele. Access-to-Medicines Research Centre.
Access-To-Medicines Research Institute
Vlamingenstraat 83,
3000 Leuven, Belgium
WP8
Project management
This work package sets up a management structure to facilitate efficient communication and coordination among partners.
Coordination: Catherine Decouttere and Nico Vandaele. KU Leuven Access-to-Medicines Research Centre
Management: Eloïse Dagneau and Sandra Brusselmans. KU Leuven Access-to-Medicines Research Centre.
Access-To-Medicines Research Institute
Vlamingenstraat 83,
3000 Leuven, Belgium
WP9
Ethics
This work package will work to ensure that the project complies with the higher standards of ethical principles.
WP Lead: Johan De Tavernier.
