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Last updated on 16 September 2026

The essentials

The “Diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine viral targets” coordinated action of ANRS MIE aims to structure interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research to develop tools against emerging viruses. It focuses on the identification of viral targets to promote advances in the development of diagnostic tools, treatments and vaccines. This research will involve collaborations with players in preclinical development, clinical research and technology and product development.

In a context of epidemic preparedness and response, the translation of basic research data into the development of diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine tools must be carried out within a timeframe compatible with the urgency of a health crisis.

Coordinated action activities

The coordinated action (CA) organizes scientific meetings to bring together the players involved in viral targets indentification and those involved in technologies and products development. These meetings will encourage the set up of collaborative research projects.
The CA also aims to set up initiatives for young researchers.
Finally, to ensure the integration of constantly updated information, the coordinated action will maintain an active literature review concerning diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine viral targets.

Chairmanship

Bruno CANARD
Aix Marseille University / CNRS

Delphine PLANAS
Inserm

Members

Karine ALVAREZ (Aix Marseille University)
Suzanne PEYROTTES (Montpellier University)
François FERRON (Aix Marseille University)
Allison BALLANDRAS-COLAS (CNRS IBS Grenoble)
Sandrine BELOUZARD (Institut Pasteur Lille / CIIL)
Olivier TERRIER (Lyon CIRI)

Olivier SPERANDIO (Institut Pasteur)
Gilles LABESSE (CBS Montpellier)
Jeanne Bérard (ANRS MIE)
Dounia Cherkaoui (ANRS MIE)
Guia Carrara (ANRS MIE)
Sandra Raine (ANRS MIE)

Working groups

The CA is made up of 4 scientific axes, whose members will work in a joint and complementary manner. Each scientific axis, led by a pair of co-leaders, will include a group of experts invited to take part in CA activities.

These themes are:

Medicinal chemistry :S. Peyrottes –K. Alvarez
Organic synthesis of small molecule inhibitors/ligands of viral targets
Structural and functional biology : F. Ferron – A. Ballandras-Colas
Determination of viral proteins three-dimensional structures, both structural and non-structural, required for the design of diagnostics, vaccines and drugs.
Screening platforms and associated virology : O. Terrier – S. Belouzard
Screening of molecules in infected cells and/or on viral enzymes, as well as virology specifically associated with these platforms (cell infections, cell biology, replicons, time-of-addition, resistances…).
Data mining/Integration/Bioinformatics: G. Labesse – O. Sperandio
The search for pre-existing data on antivirals, the storage and use of data collected in the different scientific groups above, their formatting for interoperability between the different groups, and their use in the search for new molecules and co-relationships ensured by new AI techniques, in particular virtual screening and new predictive structural biology techniques.

Read the interview with the co-chairs of Coordinated Action, Bruno Canard and Delphine Planas

Innovation and responsiveness: discover priorities for coordinated action ‘Diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine viral targets’ in response to viral emergencies

Next webinar

Preparedness for epidemics and viral outbreaks – A case study of the Nipah virus

Date: Thursday 29 October 2026, from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm

Registration for this videoconference is free but mandatory!

The ANRS MIE’s Coordinated Action on ‘Viral Targets for Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Vaccines’ is organising a workshop dedicated to preparedness for viral outbreaks, using the Nipah virus as a case study.

The aim will be to collectively reflect on how research conducted in the run-up to crises can help anticipate threats and accelerate the development of diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine strategies.

Using the Nipah case as a starting point, discussions will focus on challenges widely shared across research into emerging viruses: characterisation of viral targets, experimental models, access to biological resources and clinical samples, specialised infrastructure, and the development of medical countermeasures and diagnostic tests. The workshop is therefore aimed more broadly at the entire scientific community working on viral outbreaks, extending beyond specialists in the Nipah virus alone.

The workshop will adopt a deliberately interactive format, differing from that of a traditional conference: short presentations will set out the key points and the current state of knowledge, and ample time will be devoted to discussions amongst experts and with the participating scientific community. The aim of these discussions will be to pool experiences, highlight the main obstacles and research needs, and collectively identify priorities and avenues for collaboration to better prepare for future viral outbreaks.

Programme:

Introduction and background (45 mins)

Workshop objectives / The role of basic research in preparing for epidemics

Olivier Reynard (CIRI, Lyon) – ‘The Nipah virus: emergence and therapeutic challenges’

Resources and infrastructure – drivers for research:

Christine Prat (European Virus Archive – Global) – ‘Access to biological resources: are we ready for the next outbreak?’
François Ferron (AFMB, Aix-Marseille University) – “An overview of access to structural biology platforms in crisis situations (France)”

Current state of research in France (1h 20m)

Branka Horvat (CIRI, Lyon) – “Immunopathogenesis of the Nipah virus”

Bruno Sargueil (Université Paris Cité) – “PARAMYXOM6A project – roles of epitranscriptomic modifications present on viral RNAs”

Cyrille Mathieu (CIRI, Lyon) – “Tissue modelling of pulmonary and cerebral infection by Henipaviruses”

Sonia Longhi (Aix-Marseille University) – “The NIPAH-LISA project”

Nathalie Heuze-Vourc’h (INSERM, Centre for the Study of Respiratory Diseases) – “The European HENIPROTECT project: inhaled anti-Nipah antibodies”

Yves Lévy (Vaccine Research Institute) – “New vaccine strategy targeting Henipaviruses. A France Vaccin programme”

Laurent Dacheux (Institut Pasteur, Centre for Biological Emergency Response) – “Diagnostic tools and developments”

Cross-cutting discussion: Identifying research priorities (40 mins)

Conclusion (15 mins)

Key messages, Outlook, Potential next steps

Drafting of a report

Moderators: Delphine Planas (INSERM) and Bruno Canard (Aix-Marseille University/CNRS)

Previous webinars

On 7 July 2026, the Coordinated Action ‘Viral Targets for Diagnostics, Therapies and Vaccines’ co-organised a webinar with the Guangzhou National Laboratory (GZNL) in China. The theme was: ‘Structure, function and intervention in viral replication’.

This international webinar brought together leading experts from France and China to discuss recent advances in the structural biology of emerging viruses.

As part of this bilateral collaboration, the speakers presented their research on the structure, dynamics and molecular mechanisms involved in viral replication, as well as in host–pathogen interactions.

This event aimed to foster scientific and personal exchanges by providing a forum for dialogue and mutual discovery. It also sought to raise the profile of ongoing research in France and China, identify synergies and complementary areas of expertise, and pave the way for future collaborations.

On 15 April 2026, the Coordinated Action “Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Vaccine Viral Targets” of ANRS MIE held a webinar on AI for molecular discovery. This webinar explored how AI and computational modelling are advancing drug design and protein research. Speakers presented approaches for molecular design, prediction of protein variant effects and dynamics, and structural modelling of protein–protein interactions. The session took a critical perspective, addressing current limitations in cheminformatics and practical considerations for researchers.

Programme:

“AI for drug design” — Dragos Horvath, Strasbourg University
“Computational approaches for protein variant effect and motion prediction” — Elodie Laine, Sorbonne University
“Structural modelling and binding affinity prediction of the Human PDZ-PBM interactome” — Victor Reys, Utrecht University

The replay is available below and on our YouTube channel.

The Coordinated Action on Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Vaccinal Targs for Viruses is organising its third thematic webinar on mosquito-borne viruses on Thursday 30 October 2025 from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm.

The increasing circulation of mosquito-borne viruses, including those causing dengue, chikungunya, Zika and West Nile fever (among others), highlights the need for reliable, rapid diagnostic tools adapted to the varied epidemiological context we face.

The specific challenges of diagnosing arboviral diseases, notably antigenic variability and the co-circulation of multiple viruses in endemic areas, as well as the need for standardisation and access to biological samples, are of paramount importance. The detection and surveillance of these emerging infections will also be discussed during this webinar.

Programme:

“Diagnosis of arboviruses as a model for preparedness and responses to the unexpected” — Remi Charrel, Emerging Viruses Unit (UVE), Aix-Marseille University
“Role of the Réunion Arbovirus Associated National Reference Centre in the Indian Ocean region: Surveillance, Diagnosis” — Marie Christine Jaffar-Bandjee, Réunion University Hospital and member of ArboFrance
“Diagnosis of Zika Virus Infection: When, Where and Future Perspectives” — Sébastien Briolant, Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute (IRBA)

To see the replay, click on the picture below.

The Coordinated Action on Viral Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Vaccine Targets is organising its second thematic webinar on the development of diagnostics for emerging viral diseases on Tuesday 21 October 2025 from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm.

Against a backdrop of increasing viral epidemics worldwide – from dengue to Ebola, including COVID-19 and, more recently, the chikungunya virus – the rapid, reliable and accessible detection of pathogens has become a priority public health issue. However, the development of diagnostic tests for these emerging diseases remains fraught with obstacles.

This webinar offers an in-depth look at the scientific, logistical and technological challenges posed by the development of diagnostics during health emergencies and in periods of calm. We will address, in particular, the difficulties in accessing clinical samples as soon as the first cases appear and the need to develop specific antibodies.

In response to these challenges, advances in research and technological innovation have led to the development of innovative diagnostic solutions, such as non-invasive tests based on the analysis of exhaled air. These approaches facilitate both the screening and surveillance of emerging respiratory viruses, whose epidemic potential justifies rapid detection and enhanced monitoring.

Programme:

“From the interpandemic period to the crisis: how EVA supports the development and distribution of diagnostic tools” — Christine Prat, European Virus Archive (EVA)
“Issues and challenges related to the development of serological or antigenic diagnostic tests” — Thierry Rose, Institut Pasteur Paris
“Development of a non-invasive diagnostic method through the identification of volatile organic compound signatures: the example of the VORTEX project” — Alexandre Gaymard, Hospices Civils de Lyon

To see the replay, click on the picture below.

Influenza viruses pose a major challenge to global public health due to recurring seasonal outbreaks and the constant risk of new strains emerging. In early 2025, the flu outbreak reached an unprecedented intensity, leading to a particularly high level of hospital activity. Furthermore, the spread of the H5N1 virus among birds and its transmission to other species, including humans, is causing concern and requires increased vigilance. Despite decades of research, the genetic evolution of the influenza virus continues to pose a challenge for scientists and healthcare professionals, highlighting the importance of ongoing research.

Against this backdrop, this webinar brought together experts to discuss the many challenges associated with influenza viruses.

Programme:

“Epidemiology and surveillance of influenza: current situation and key challenges in the post-COVID era” – Sibylle Bernard Stoecklin, Santé Publique France
“Management of severe influenza cases in intensive care” – Nicolas de Prost, GHU AP-HP, Henri-Mondor University Hospitals
“Antiviral drugs against influenza viruses: where are we now and where are we heading?” – Andrés Pizzorno, International Centre for Research in Infectiology (CIRI), Lyon
“Influenza viruses and structural biology in France: fundamental research for the benefit of applied research” – Thibaut Crépin, Institute of Structural Biology (IBS), Grenoble.

To see the replay, click on the picture below.

aids2018

The essentials

Coordinated action activities

Chairmanship

Members

Working groups

Read the interview with the co-chairs of Coordinated Action, Bruno Canard and Delphine Planas

Next webinar

Preparedness for epidemics and viral outbreaks – A case study of the Nipah virus

Previous webinars

7 July 2026

15 April 2026

30 October 2025

21 October 2025

19 May 2025

Any questions?

Find out more

Coordinated Action ‘Viral Targets’ symposium with La Maison de la Chimie

Diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine viral targets CA launch day