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Mpox R&D Roadmap
A collaboratively developed Mpox R&D Roadmap,
outlining key knowledge gaps and R&D enablers
As part of the WHO Blueprint initiative, the Poxvirus CORC has coordinated the development of an Mpox R&D Roadmap.
The Roadmap outlines key knowledge gaps across eight thematic areas, as well as R&D enablers that could accelerate research and the development and implementation of mpox medical countermeasures.
How will the Mpox R&D Roadmap be used?
The Roadmap is intended to provide a framework to support coordinated and collaborative efforts to address the most important gaps in knowledge relating to MPXV and mpox.
It will facilitate prioritisation of research efforts and funding, and create opportunities for academic collaborations and cross-sectoral partnerships.
As well as coordinating development of the Roadmap, the CORC is exploring ways in which it can facilitate and accelerate progress towards the priorities outlined within it.
How was the Mpox R&D Roadmap developed?
The Mpox R&D Roadmap was collaboratively developed through a global consultative process coordinated by the Poxvirus CORC.
Six thematic areas were identified, with the first divided into three subthemes. Global writing groups were set up in each of these eight areas with leads from the DRC and South Africa. Each group developed a draft chapter of the R&D Roadmap, focusing on knowledge gaps/research questions and ‘enablers’ – activities that could facilitate or accelerate mpox R&D and evidence-based medical countermeasure use.
Writing groups were encouraged to consider the types of study that would be needed to close knowledge gaps and to provide a broad assessment of the importance of each knowledge gap and enabler. This prioritisation is the consensus of each writing group but was not based on systematic criteria and should be taken only as a general indication of importance. Each chapter was reviewed by a small group of technical specialists.
The chapters were combined into a single consolidated document and the draft Mpox R&D Roadmap was circulated to the CORC community for comment. A revised version was then shared globally on the WHO website. The final version of the Roadmap incorporates global feedback.
It is anticipated that progress in closing knowledge gaps and advancing R&D enablers will be reviewed in early 2028.