100 Days Mission for diagnostics

In June 2021, G7 Leaders welcomed the “100 Days Mission’’ in Carbis Bay, building on the collaborative scientific efforts which led to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for COVID-19.

The first 100 Days Mission report was authored by scientific, governmental and industry experts drawn from within and beyond the G7. It proposed 25 recommendations to harness scientific innovation and strengthen public and private collaboration that will reduce the time from discovery to deployment of these medical countermeasures within 100 days of the identification of the next pandemic threat.

FIND is working with the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat and other partners to make the 100 Days Mission for diagnostics a reality.

Making the exceptional routine: embedding diagnostic best practice to improve pandemic preparedness is co-authored by FIND and the 100 Days Mission Science and Technology Expert Group (STEG), including Dr Yenew Kebede of Africa CDC, Dr Mariângela Simão of Instituto Todos pela Saúde, and Dr Rick Bright, who is a FIND Board member. The report reshapes the narrative of pandemic preparedness, highlighting diagnostics as an integral tool for a swift and effective pandemic response.

Despite being historically neglected compared with other interventions, the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the indispensable nature of diagnostics as a first line of defence, with over 3 billion SARS-CoV-2 tests conducted worldwide. Learning from the pandemic, the report highlights the need for faster and wider availability of diagnostics, especially in low-income countries, urging coordinated actions to minimize future threats. Building on the original 100 Days Mission recommendations, the publication outlines three critical enablers:

• Multiplex testing
• Digitally connected diagnostics
• Linking diagnostics to care and treatment.

These three critical enablers can make exceptional diagnostic practices routine, providing a robust foundation for global health systems in the face of pandemics, as well as other threats. FIND, the IPPS and 100 Days Mission STEG are committed to tracking progress, addressing key challenges, and ensuring the implementation of these recommendations.