2025 PRA International Symposium

The 2025 Pandemic Research Alliance International Symposium was successfully held from October 27-28 in Melbourne at the The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. Hosted by the Doherty Institute, the event brought together leading researchers and clinicians in infectious disease and pandemic preparedness across the Alliance to share new research findings, innovative tools and approaches, and provided the opportunity to develop and explore new collaborations to tackle new and emerging diseases. The symposium consisted of three key themes, along with poster and panel discussions.

The first day of the Symposium commenced with remarks from Prof. Sharon Lewin, Director of The Doherty Institute, followed by an exciting scientific programme including:

Session One: Future Proofing Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Keynote presentations:

The Perspectives of Human Influenza/Avian Influenza in China by Professor Nanshan Zhong | Guangzhou Laboratory

Drivers and Emergence of Bat Zoonotic Viruses by Professor Linfa Wang | Duke-NUS Medical School

This session also included insights on avian influenza risk and immunity, data-driven approaches and early warning systems, followed by a poster viewing showcasing new research findings.

Session Two: Novel strategies for Endemic and Pandemic Viruses

Keynote presentation:

Strategies to empty the HIV-1 latent reservoir by Professor David Ho | Columbia University

Panel Event

Next-Generation Therapeutics for Pandemic Preparedness: Global Perspectives Hosted by Apoorva Mandavilli from The New York Times Panellists: Professor David Ho | Columbia University Professor Linfa Wang | Duke-NUS Medical School Professor Nanshan Zhong | Guangzhou Laboratory Professor Sharon Lewin | Doherty Institute

The third and final session was hosted on the second day of the Symposium.

Session 3: Novel Therapeutics and Harnessing Immune Responses to Control Infections

Keynote presentations: Towards a cure for HIV: using mRNA to reverse latency Professor Sharon Lewin | Doherty Institute

Decoding Antibody Imprinting in Individuals Sequentially Infected with SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Across Two Decades Professor Linqi Zhang | Tsinghua University

Human memory B cell epitopes for pan-sarbecovirus neutralization Professor Zhiwei Chen | HKU Med

Presentations from leading researchers covered topics centered on antibody- and T cell-based immunity against respiratory pathogens, antigenic prediction tools, mRNA and CRISPR-Cas13 therapeutics, outbreak response measures and preparedness networks.

This year’s annual symposium highlighted the importance of global pandemic preparedness. Whilst there is still much work to be done, the gathering was an opportunity to learn and share the progress made towards a shared goal of strengthening pandemic preparedness, and reflect on the creation of new health agencies and investment in infrastructure, technology, facilities and partnerships that support this.

As the PRA moves forward, it explores plans to include trusted, well-established partners across Asia and continues to focus its efforts on advancing collaborative approaches to pandemic prevention and preparedness.