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Top Genomics Labs partner with UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to strengthen surveillance in SA and UK

The project will officially launch on February 6, 2025 with a signing event involving the UK High Commissioner of South Africa and the Director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University medical campus in Tygerberg, Cape Town. At the event representatives from CERI, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, key stakeholders, and UK and SA government leaders will outline their vision for transforming disease surveillance and collaborate on global health, security and science.

A North-South partnership between the Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University (SU), has received approximately 8.7 million South African Rands in funding under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) UK-SA Health System Strengthening Partnership.

This project will leverage genomic surveillance to monitor respiratory viruses, like Influenza, Metapneumovirus, Respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 in real-time to boost pandemic preparedness in both the United Kingdom and South Africa.

This initiative underscores the vital role of data sharing and international collaboration to create a unified, robust surveillance system for faster, more coordinated responses to emerging global health threats. The project will advance seasonal disease preparedness and build local capacity to address global health challenges.

'This partnership is about building bridges between the northern and southern hemispheres to ensure that both regions are better prepared for future health challenges,' said Professor Tulio de Oliveira, Director of CERI and the lead of the team that discovered SARS-CoV-2 Beta and Omicron variants. 'In the age of nationalism and global division, our collaboration with the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the UK FDCO will not only improve global genomic surveillance capabilities but also create a framework for knowledge exchange, biosecurity and capacity building.'

The project will focus on genomic monitoring of respiratory viruses; key culprits behind seasonal infections and potential pandemics. By harnessing advanced genomic techniques, researchers aim to track emerging variants, identify drug and vaccine resistance strains, and provide actionable insights to public health authorities and the development of medical countermeasures.

John Sillitoe, Director of the Genomic Surveillance Unit at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, emphasised the global impact of this endeavour: 'Our joint efforts with CERI will enable the development of a robust, integrated surveillance system that will inform public health responses across continents. By combining expertise and infrastructure, we can accelerate the fight against infectious diseases and build capacity to improve global health.'

The start of the programme was preceded by a visit of Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the FDCO, and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords in the UK, to CERI on 4 November 2024. During his visit to CERI last year, UK Minister for Africa Lord Collins of Highbury commented: 'South Africa is taking a leading role in science and research across the continent, and the UK is proud to be supporting this. Together we are collaborating on global health, security and science for a stronger, more resilient future.' (link)

In addition to the research milestones, this initiative sets a precedent for fostering equitable global partnerships in health innovation. It builds on previous investments by the South African and UK governments, the Rockefeller Foundation, the World Bank and the Wellcome Trust, and other stakeholders, maximising existing infrastructure and human capital to ensure impactful outcomes.

Antony Phillipson, High Commissioner to South Africa stated 'Investing in global health is in all our interests and strengthening our cooperation in disease surveillance is key if we are to be better prepared for pandemics and work together on shared global health challenges. I’m excited to see this boost to our bilateral partnership; it is a key part of our programme to support South Africa in health systems strengthening.'

'This partnership is a testament to the power of global collaboration in advancing public health. By combining world-class expertise from South Africa and the UK, we are not only strengthening genomic surveillance but also fostering innovation that will enhance pandemic preparedness worldwide. Stellenbosch University is proud to be at the forefront of this crucial work, ensuring that science serves society by enabling faster, more effective responses to emerging health threats.' said Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor.