Fiocruz co-organizes the first Pasteur Network Annual Meeting in Americas 

The Pasteur Network Annual Meeting 2024 (PNAM 2024) is taking place this year for the first time in the Americas, with Fiocruz as a co-organizer. The Opening Ceremony, which can have the presence of the press, happens this Monday (October 21) at 6 PM (RIO TIME) at the Windsor Oceânico Hotel (Rua Martinho de Mesquita, 129, Barra da Tijuca, Rio). Participants will include the Fiocruz president, Mario Moreira; the president of the Pasteur Network (PN) and General Administrator of the Institut Pasteur of Dakar, Amadou Sall; the Executive Director of the Pasteur Network Rebecca Grais, and the vice president of the PN and president of the Institut Pasteur, Yasmine Belkaid. The City of Rio de Janeiro Health Secretary, Daniel Soranz; and the Brazilian undersecretary of Surveillance and Primary Health Care, Mário Sérgio Ribeiro, will also participate. The opening will be streamed in English on the Pasteur Network channel and in Portuguese on the Fiocruz channel.  

Following the Opening Ceremony, there will be two key speeches by researchers Peter Piot, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, about A New Era for Global Health, and Manoel Barral Netto, from Fiocruz Bahia, about Leveraging Health Data: Enhancing Precision in Public Health. There will also be the presentation of the Talent Awards, which recognizes a young professional with great scientific potential and initiative within the network. Funded by the Institut Pasteur, this prize helps to finance the professional development of the awardee and encourage his work. This year marks the first edition of the Talent Awards dedicated to Science and Communication. 

The conference gathering representatives from more than 30 institutions across 25 countries and partners will take place from today until Wednesday (October 23). Except for the Opening Ceremony and Barral’s and Piot’s key speeches, all other sessions are restricted to the PNAM participants. 

"Hosting the first Pasteur Network Annual Meeting in the Americas is a significant milestone for Fiocruz and the entire region. This gathering highlights the growing role of the Americas in global science and reinforces the value of structured cooperation among our countries. By hosting this event, we create opportunities to strengthen ties between research institutions, share knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to global health challenges. It is a unique opportunity to promote scientific advancement with an integrated and diverse perspective, which is essential for addressing global health crises in a more equitable way", said Mario Moreira. 

In addition to being the first meeting on the continent, this is also the first with Mario Moreira as one of the two regional representatives of the Pasteur Network in the Americas. About 250 people are expected to attend the event, which will once again feature sessions for young scientists. 

In addition to being the first meeting on the continent, this is also the first with Moreira as one of the two regional representatives of the Pasteur Network in the Americas. About 250 people are expected to attend the event, which will once again feature sessions for young scientists. 

"As we gather in Rio de Janeiro for the Pasteur Network Annual Meeting, we reaffirm our commitment to addressing the critical health issues that transcend borders. This event is not just a meeting; it is a collaborative platform where diverse voices unite to forge innovative solutions and strengthen our collective response to health threats. Together, we can enhance our epidemic preparedness, promote equitable access to healthcare, and ultimately protect the health of communities worldwide", said the president of Pasteur Network, Amadou Sall. 

Fourteen works resulting from partnerships between different institutions in the network will be presented orally—three of them coordinated by researchers from Fiocruz. Flavio Lara, from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), will present a study on Hansen’s disease titled "Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Neurotoxic Phenotype of Schwann Cell Infected with Mycobacterium Leprae." Maisa Araújo, from Fiocruz Rondônia, will showcase research on "Generation of Protective Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Neutralize Plasmodium vivax sporozoite infection," focusing on malaria. Fabio Formiga, from the Aggeu Magalhães Institute (Fiocruz Pernambuco), will present "Developing a Monoclonal Antibody Nanomedicine for Pulmonary Delivery Towards COVID-19 Treatment." Other studies will be displayed on electronic posters. 

Sharing knowledge at a global level, one of the strategic pillars of the PN, is among the goals of the meeting. Through presentations, workshops, and discussion panels, participants will have the opportunity to exchange practices and innovations. Additionally, the gathering of representatives from institutions across different countries in one space is expected to strengthen and stimulate partnerships and the emergence of opportunities among members, sponsors, and partners. The meeting will also promote professional development in strategic areas for the Pasteur Network, considering its four strategic pillars: epidemic preparedness and intelligence, focusing on climate sensitive diseases; research, development, and innovation; knowledge communities; good governance and equity. 

Topics to be discussed during the three-day meeting include climate change and infectious diseases, such as dengue; and simultaneous epidemics and pandemics, like cases of Mpox, avian influenza, and others. Advances toward achieving greater equity in vaccine access, the development of mRNA vaccines, gender and maternal health, and the role of AI in health research will also be subjects of sessions.   

"The Pasteur Network Annual Meeting is a unique opportunity for our global community to come together and address the most pressing health challenges of our time. By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and supporting innovation, we are building a stronger, more resilient global health ecosystem. The challenges we face—whether they be climate-sensitive diseases or the ongoing threat of pandemics—require coordinated, global efforts. Together, we are working towards a future where equitable access to health solutions is a reality for all", said the executive director of the Pasteur Network, Rebecca Grais. 

About the Pasteur Network 

The Pasteur Network is an alliance of over 30 institutes which plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges through science, innovation and public health. Its distinctive strength lies in its diversity and extensive geographic reach, spanning 25 countries across five continents, fostering a dynamic community of knowledge and expertise. The Pasteur Network is recognized as a WHO non-state actor, and members of the network are frequently embedded into local Ministries of Health. The PN sustains a global infrastructure encompassing more than 50 national and regional reference laboratories, which includes multiple Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories, and 17 WHO Collaborating Centers. For more information, visit: https://pasteur-network.org/ 

About Fiocruz 

Fiocruz is the largest biomedical research institution in Latin America, also producing vaccines and medications to supply the Unified Health System (SUS). Linked to the Ministry of Health, it was established on May 25, 1900, to initially manufacture serums and vaccines against bubonic plague. Since then, the institution has undergone an intense trajectory that is intertwined with the development of public health in Brazil. Today, Fiocruz operates in 10 states, as well as the Federal District, and has an office in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, in Africa. In addition to its institutes based in Rio de Janeiro, it maintains units in the Northeast, North, Southeast, and South regions of Brazil. In total, there are 16 technical-scientific units focused on education, research, innovation, assistance, technological development, and outreach in the health sector. For more information, visit https://portal.fiocruz.br/en. 

Service 

Opening Ceremony of the Pasteur Network Annual Meeting 2024 

Date: October 21, at 6 PM (RIO TIME) 

Location: Windsor Oceânico Hotel (Rua Martinho de Mesquita, 129, Barra da Tijuca, Rio) 

Registration is required via link.   

The Opening Ceremony will be streamed in English on the Pasteur Network channel and in Portuguese on the Fiocruz channel.