[Summarized Version of the Press Release]

KDCA Unveiled the 2023 Enforcement Plans for Pathogen Resource Management

The plans are aimed to register 13,000 strains of useful and distributable pathogens by 2025, distribute 4,000 strains of pathogens per year for the sake of further utilization, and build networks with 10 specialized pathogen resource banks for diversification.

Osong, 10^th May, 2023 - The National Institute of Health (NIH) established and publicly announced the 2023 Enforcement Plans for Pathogen Resource Management, which is set to help phase in the First Comprehensive Pathogen Resource Management Plans (2021-2025) that was created back in 2021. The Enforcement plans are expected to contribute to enhancing national sovereignty over pathogen resources and stepping up utilization of the resources in fields related to infectious disease and healthcare. 

The National Culture Collection of Pathogen (NCCP) as a national competent authority is authorized to collect pathogen resources to register them in the official list, which is made public, and then distribute the resources, assisting researchers and healthcare companies in utilizing them at their disposal.

The 2023 enforcement plans consist of three key strategies and seven tasks when it comes to pathogen collection, management, distribution and utilization.

The public announcement of the enforcement plans is projected to make it easier to primarily secure pathogen resources tailored to demand, facilitate the deposit, increase the qualitative credibility and establish networks with related organizations at home and abroad.

The NIH expects that the enforcement plan will help facilitate the provision of raw materials that are essentially utilized for developing diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics of new and emerging infectious diseases and infectious diseases from abroad, thereby promoting the healthcare industry and solidifying national sovereignty over pathogen resources.