When we attended the International Pandemic Sciences Conference in 2024, the message was clear. Diagnostics needed a louder voice. Much of the global conversation around pandemic preparedness still leaned heavily on vaccines and therapeutics, leaving rapid testing and early detection underfunded and underrepresented.
At that time, we were advocating for diagnostics to take its place as an equal pillar in global health response. One year later, at IPSC 2025, we saw how far the conversation has come, and how much further we need to go.
Dr Emily Adams, who co-chaired the diagnostics session this year, described the conference as a key moment of progress. The session featured voices from DSTL, Oxford, and global health institutions from Cameroon to Nepal, each raising critical challenges and innovations in point-of-care diagnostics.
One presentation, from DSTL’s David Ulaeto, highlighted how Mpox continues to evolve across geographies, with limited countermeasures in place. There is no reliable point-of-care diagnostic, limited access to vaccines, and ongoing concern about its spread. His message was clear: Mpox is not retreating. It is becoming more common and demands a stronger diagnostic response.
Beyond specific pathogens, a larger concern emerged. Even when new tests are developed, they struggle to remain viable in the market. As Emily reflected, “If you develop tests for pandemic preparedness, it’s challenging to find a buyer to launch on the market.” This lack of demand outside of active outbreaks undermines preparedness.
Several attendees proposed solutions, including pooled procurement models and linking test production to surveillance in animal reservoirs. These conversations point to the need for structural change, not just technological advancement.
Dr Sophie Owen reflected on a standout keynote by Professor Raina Plowright, who used the analogy of wildfires to describe pandemics. Rather than waiting for a fire to start and then attempting to contain it, Reina’s team investigated how to prevent the spark in the first place. In the case of a recent Hendra virus outbreak, their research traced a chain of events from weather disruptions to changes in bat feeding behaviour, ultimately resulting in horse and human infections. As a preventative measure, winter flowering meadows are now being planted in Queensland to help ensure bats have access to their natural food sources. Sophie’s takeaway was clear: stopping outbreaks before they begin is possible when we fully understand transmission cycles.
Compared to 2024, when themes like “100-day preparedness” and interdisciplinary collaboration were first surfacing, 2025 saw a maturing of the agenda. Threats like Mpox, Nipah, and avian flu are no longer hypothetical. Neither is the growing interest in diagnostics for high-consequence threats, including deliberate biological release.
GADx was proud to contribute once again this year, not only through our participation in sessions but also through our ongoing programmes in rapid testing, antigen engineering, and cross-sector collaboration. With Oxford University and other partners, we are continuing work on diagnostic tools for Nipah and other Henipaviruses.
The momentum from IPSC 2025 is encouraging and reinforces what we knew last year. Diagnostics are essential to preparedness. Making them available, affordable, and integrated into global response systems will require commitment, innovation, and shared effort.
We look forward to contributing to this work in the lead-up to IPSC 2026 in Singapore, and beyond.