Institut Pasteur launches global health initiative in HK to combat infectious diseases

Institut Pasteur, a leading non- profit international biomedical research organization, launched a global health initiative in Hong Kong, aiming to raise 120 million U.S. dollars by 2020 for several projects to combat infectious diseases.

The scheme, called "The 2020 Pasteur Global Health Initiative", targeted to implement efficient scientific programs at Pasteur Institutes located in the most vulnerable areas, to create new research institutes where there is a need in critical zones and to train the new generation of global health scientists.

President of Institut Pasteur Christian Brechot said at the press meeting that with emerging viruses from SARS and Avian Influenza to the more recent Ebola outbreaks, there a dire need to address these global epidemics by understanding how viruses spread for effective disease prevention, rapid diagnostic tests and medical treatment.

French actress Sophie Marceau, who also attended the press conference, said Institut Pasteur's belief in the power of scientific teamwork and international collaboration to curing life- threatening viruses fast and efficiently is an inspiration.

"China is now really open to collaborate with the rest of the world, with great scientists, and I am sure this collaboration will be a great success," she said.

Founded in 1887 in France, Institut Pasteur's three core missions are research, global health management and education. It now owns 33 branch institutes in 26 countries and areas, including the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole. Endi