ETH Global Lecture Series: COVID-19 and Global R&D

9 June 2020 - Online Lecture - Characterised by cooperation, as well as competition, Oxford Visiting Fellow and MD, John-Arne Røttingen speaks on the global research and development response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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John-Arne Røttingen
John-Arne Røttingen

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In just a few months’ time, the outbreak of a novel corona virus in Wuhan, China sent the world not only into a health emergency, but also into a global societal and economic crisis. The outbreak quickly escalated from an epidemic to an outright pandemic. The World Health Organization declaring the pandemic formally as a public health emergency of international concern in accordance with the International Health regulations.

When a new viral disease occurs, knowledge and insight become the most valuable currency. In recent months, the world has seen how using the tools and mechanisms of open science and open innovation has unfolded into an unprecedented collective research effort. However, there is still an urgent need for new tools and technologies, including diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. Under normal circumstances, the division of labour between the public and the private sector is clear when it comes to the roles and responsibilities for innovating health technologies. However, in a pandemic time is of the essence and market demands that suddenly appear may just as quickly disappear. Therefore, the public and private sectors need to leverage their competencies and capacities to develop new models that address the needs of society.

Free public online lecture

Tuesday, 9 June 2020
15.00 - 16.00 Zurich (CET)

Welcome and moderation by Chris Luebkeman, Head Foresight ETH Zurich

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John-Arne Røttingen
Picture credit: John-Arne Røttingen

John-Arne Røttingen is the Chief Executive of the Research Council of Norway and a Visiting Fellow of Practice at Oxford University. He formally served as the founding CEO of CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; Executive Director of Infection Control and Environmental Health at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health; and founding Chief Executive of the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services. As a medical scientist and professor, he held appointments in Health Policy at the University of Oslo and at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He received his MD and PhD from the University of Oslo, an MSc from Oxford University, and an MPA from Harvard University. More via external pageLinkedin

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