The Outbreak Response Board (ORB)
The Outbreak Response Board (ORB)
The Outbreak Response Board (ORB) focuses on developing decision-making frameworks for clinical research responses to infectious disease outbreaks and providing scientific assessments of research needs in response to public health threats.
Led by: INSERM/PENTA
Main Mission
The Outbreak Response Board aims to:
- Develop decision-making processes for timing, level, and content of clinical research outbreak response to infectious diseases according to different levels of threats.
- Produce a scientific assessment of the outbreak research landscape in the event of a public health threat posed by an infectious disease.
- Ensure – if asked, in cooperation with CoMeCT coordinators, the communication of these scientific recommendations to the Member States and to the European Commission.
Composition
The ORB is the latest addition to the Coordination Board of CoMeCT, which aims to facilitate strategic coordination of research and innovation activities, foster the exchange of best research practices, and ensure effective stakeholder engagement across adaptive platform trials, randomised clinical trials, cohort studies and other observational studies. Transversal to the activities of the Trial Coordination Board (TCB) and Cohort Coordination Board (CCB), the ORB seeks to facilitate the coordination of clinical research in case of an infectious disease outbreak in Europe.
The ORB is centred around ANRS MIE and Penta, both of which form its Secretariat and are responsible for the development of decision-making processes, and production of scientific assessments. The ORB also includes representatives of each CoMeCT partner to ensure that it reflects the views of CoMeCT as a consortium. Additionally, the ORB can appoint external experts on an ad hoc basis to ensure a comprehensive overview of complex outbreak situations and mitigate potential biases.
How does it work?
The Outbreak Response Board operates as a dynamic advisory body, assessing outbreaks through a structured framework and predefined, agreed-upon criteria, enabling it to adapt its actions based on the severity and nature of the infectious disease.
If necessary or through appointment, the board produces a scientific assessment of outbreak situations. This assessment includes: mapping relevant research activities; identifying research gaps and needs; formulating recommendations for high-priority research questions; advising on how to leverage existing networks and infrastructures; and engaging with CoMeCT partners and external experts throughout.
The scientific assessment aims to be a living document, available to the European Commission and/or the scientific community to help guide decision-making. The ORB's processes are designed to be transparent, inclusive, and aligned with the broader objectives of CoMeCT and European pandemic preparedness efforts.
As of January 2025, the ORB has worked on the following:
- Mpox clade 1b outbreak (2024)
- H5N1 avian flu outbreak (2025)
