In early 2020, as the world faced an unprecedented crisis, the Corona Accelerated R&D in Europe (CARE) consortium was launched to accelerate the search for COVID-19 treatments. Backed by almost €76 million in funding, with roughly half from the EU and half from EFPIA, CARE united 38 leading organisations across Europe, the USA, and China.

Fast forward five years, and while the urgency of the pandemic has diminished, the legacy of CARE is set to shape the future of pandemic preparedness. As the project concludes on 31 March 2025, its impact will endure in the form of scientific breakthroughs, stronger research networks, and improved capabilities to combat emerging infectious diseases.

A collaborative success storyCARE’s achievements go beyond COVID-19: its work has laid the groundwork for tackling future viral threats.

Among its key successes:Breakthrough drug candidates

• Identification of four monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralising the virus
• Discovery of four promising small-molecule compounds with antiviral potential

Advanced tools for drug research

• Development of high-throughput screening assays to accelerate drug discovery and models to improve our understanding of the virus
• Insights into how SARS-CoV-2 functions and its interaction with the human immune system

Targeting vulnerable populations

• Design of a clinical trial for immunocompromised patients, ensuring that those most at risk benefit from new treatments

What’s next?
The end of CARE is not the end of the fight. COVID-19 continues to evolve, and new variants will emerge. The treatments and research pioneered by the consortium are vital building blocks for future pandemic responses.

Public-private partnerships like CARE demonstrate what can be achieved when industry, academia, and government join forces. Going forward, Europe must continue to foster innovation, invest in R&D, and strengthen its pandemic preparedness frameworks to ensure we are ready for whatever comes next.

Want to learn more about CARE’s impact? Read the full opinion piece here.