Message from Stewart Cole: Progress on the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan

"Dear all,

The Institut Pasteur's 2019-2023 Strategic Plan reaffirmed our vocation and is on course to give new impetus to basic research and increase its impact on health challenges.

What have we achieved since 2019?
We have been able to complete or make a start on nearly all the proposed measures. We have organized our activities in line with the identified research areas and scientific priorities, embarked on the ambitious project to establish a research center on vector-borne diseases, launched the Innovation Accelerator, implemented the new governance structure in the Pasteur Network, and returned to a balanced budget.

The Institut Pasteur also showed audacity and astuteness by signing an association agreement with Université Paris Cité that will strengthen ties between basic and clinical research, while consolidating our position in the French scientific and institutional landscape.

COVID-19 demonstrated the key role of the Institut Pasteur in France's scientific response to emerging epidemics, with highly satisfactory results in terms of scientific publications, patents and media coverage.

Despite all these achievements, the Institut Pasteur also needs to learn from the difficulties encountered and to improve its effectiveness in transferring research results to diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications, especially in crisis situations.

To this end, we conducted a mid-term review of the Strategic Plan with the aim of drawing lessons from the Covid crisis and effectively embracing the opportunities raised by a new twofold collective awareness: firstly, of the vital need to revive French research, and secondly, of the importance of preparing better for future pandemics.

In March, the Board of Governors therefore approved ten priorities in the implementation of the Strategic Plan for the years 2022-2023, and I would like to share them with you (see below).

These ten priorities for 2022-2023 can be subdivided into three fields:

•    Association with Université Paris Cité;

•    Response to future emerging diseases (post-COVID-19);

•    Further development of some of the major issues addressed in the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.

You can see the full document by clicking here (in French).

I hope you enjoy reading the documents, and I would encourage you to write to us at QuestionsDG@pasteur.fr if you have any questions.

Kind regards,"

Professor Stewart Cole
President

 

10 ambitions

1.    Implement the partnership with Université Paris Cité

Ambition: ensure the effective implementation of the ambitious scientific partnership program between the Institut Pasteur and Université Paris Cité.

2.    Improve the framework and long-term effectiveness of pandemic preparedness

Ambition: strengthen the Institut Pasteur's ability to provide an effective response to future emerging diseases by drawing on a multi-level action strategy.

3.    Position the Pasteur Network as a key player in the global response to disease outbreaks

Ambition: improve the impact and visibility of the Pasteur Network in the response to future emerging diseases by capitalizing on its new governance structure and strengthened business model.

4.    Set up a vaccinology center and expand its ambition and resources; and adopt the same approach in medicinal chemistry and biological therapy

Ambition: boost the Institut Pasteur's impact in vaccinology and medicinal chemistry based on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis and international benchmarks.

5.    Research applications: strengthen the Innovation Accelerator in close cooperation with research units

Ambition: position the Innovation Accelerator at the center of the Institut Pasteur's innovation continuum to boost the scientific potential of research applications.

6.    Pursue an ambitious recruitment and profile-raising policy to increase the Institut Pasteur's impact in the health sector

Ambition: improve the Institut Pasteur's competitiveness at international level in terms of attractiveness and talent management.

7.    Consolidate managerial skills and individual empowerment

Ambition: improve performance, collaboration and quality of working life by developing best management practices at all levels of responsibility.

8.    Lay the foundations for an ambitious capital campaign to fund the research center for emerging infectious and vector-borne diseases

Ambition: build the team, devise the pitch and identify funding opportunities in France and at international level.

9.    Launch the refurbishment of the Roux building and the scientific outreach project based around the Pasteur Museum

Ambition: develop a new cultural offering (museum, contemporary exhibitions and scientific outreach), aimed especially at school students and the general public, to improve knowledge about microbes and showcase the Institut Pasteur's scientific research.

10.    Engage in a participatory process of reflection, involving the campus, about the future of the Institut Pasteur

Ambition: launch a shared process of reflection, dialog and outward focus aimed at contemplating the Institut Pasteur's future development and producing useful forward-looking proposals.