HERA and the Japanese Medical Research and Development Agency Strengthen Cooperation for Cross-Border Health Threats

The Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) are strengthening their cooperation on medical countermeasures to enhance prevention, preparedness, and response to serious cross-border health threats. This aligns with the objectives of the EU Global Health Strategy and the Commission’s effort to enhance global cooperation in addressing global health threats.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for international cooperation in preventing, combating, and containing serious cross-border health threats. Cooperation around emergency preparedness and response for infectious diseases is a common interest internationally. Under the cooperation agreement, HERA and AMED will exchange information on advanced research and development of medical countermeasures. They will also identify areas and potential projects for close collaboration, for example regarding priority pathogens of interest to both parties. Additionally, HERA and AMED will hold regular meetings and collaborate on future priorities.
This cooperation agreement will initially last for three years with the possibility of extension.