The R&D Blueprint is a global strategy and preparedness plan that allows the rapid activation of research and development activities during epidemics.
It aims to fast-track the availability of effective tests, vaccines and medicines that can be used to save lives and avert large scale crises.
With WHO as convener, WHO Member States welcomed the development of the Blueprint at the World Health Assembly in May 2016.
As part of WHO’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the R&D Blueprint was activated during COVID-19 to accelerate diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for the novel virus.
This aims to improve coordination between scientists and global health professionals, accelerate the research and development process, and develop new norms and standards to inform the global response.
Building on the response to recent outbreaks of Ebola virus disease, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, the R&D Blueprint has facilitated a coordinated and accelerated response to COVID-19.
In 202, WHO published the final version of Target Product Profiles (TPP) for priority COVID-19 diagnostics. These TPPs describe the desirable and minimally acceptable profiles for four tests.
