Frank Duff
Senior Vice President of Virology Therapeutic Area, Gilead Sciences
Investing in virology innovation and collaboration today will enable a rapid and effective response to the next global health threat.
Following Covid-19, virology expert Frank Duff warns that a future viral threat “will almost certainly arrive” and acknowledges that no single organisation, agency, or government can tackle this alone.
Key partnerships
Underlining the importance of collaboration and partnership to fight existing and future global health challenges, Frank Duff, Senior Vice President of Virology Therapeutic Area, Gilead Sciences, acknowledges there are unknowns in preparing for a future pandemic. “Through our internal research capabilities, we have accumulated a deep understanding of known viruses and virus families. Our scientists maintain a wide variety of platforms and approaches that can be rapidly accessed and tested on new pathogens as they emerge,” he says.
“Through our internal research capabilities, we have accumulated a deep understanding of known viruses and virus families. Our scientists maintain a wide variety of platforms and approaches that can be rapidly accessed and tested on new pathogens as they emerge,” he says.
Another important element of the company’s pandemic preparedness are partnerships the company has developed with academic institutions and other organisations that study emerging viral pathogens. These internal and external efforts ensure the company is well placed to respond to future viral threats.
This year, we expect to invest significantly in including antiviral research and development.
Long expertise
Gilead has been at the forefront of innovation in HIV, hepatitis, and Covid-19 and has been a leader in virology for more than 35 years.
In HIV, they helped transform care by pioneering inventions that were once thought impossible, such as the first single tablet regimen to treat HIV.1 The company continues to advance innovation in HIV with the pursuit of a long-acting HIV treatment and prevention option and the possibility of a cure for HIV. Gilead is also known for leadership in viral hepatitis, delivering treatments for Hepatitis C and B, and actively pursuing multiple pathways to a possible cure for chronic Hepatitis B.
The company applied its expertise to rapidly mobilise virology science and resources to support the global response to Covid-19. The company has also been active in the emerging monkeypox public health emergency.
Duff, who has a background in paediatric infectious disease, says: “Gilead’s deep bench of expertise and the relationships we have allow us to be primed to take on future pandemics. This year, we expect to invest significantly in including antiviral research and development, to ensure continued readiness and support for next-generation antiviral therapies.”
Job Bag number: UK-UNB-2859
Date of Prep: September 2022
[1] www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/atripla. Last accessed September 2022 (include within article)