Recent disease outbreaks have highlighted the necessity for not only producing new vaccines but also for improving existing vaccines and possibly providing marker vaccines. The use of vaccines and diagnostic tests are a key component as they have the potential to support control and eradication and to be highly cost effective. New and improved vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals are required for a wide range of major animal diseases. Effective tools for controlling animal diseases of major social and economic importance are vital not only for Europe but also for the rest of the world.
The DISCONTOOLS project is a joint initiative of industry and a wide range of stakeholders including the research community, regulators, users and others. It is actively encouraged and funded by the European Commission services. Starting from the 1st of March 2008, it will be carried out over four years and will provide a mechanism for focusing and prioritising research that ultimately delivers new and improved vaccines, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tests.
