The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) plays a major role in assuring the quality of biological medicines, worldwide. NIBSC is drawing on its expertise gained through work on previous virus outbreaks such as Zika, Ebola and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), to support the public health response.
NIBSC is developing biological reference materials which are needed to support a quick and reliable diagnosis of infection, evaluate vaccines and the effectiveness of treatments, all of which will assist public health research.
NIBSC works closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); a global partnership that facilitates the development of vaccines for emerging viruses. NIBSC acts as an implementing partner to produce reference material which supports these activities. Working with CEPI and other partners will ensure the rapid availability of biological materials needed to contribute towards global response efforts to COVID-19.Details about our available COVID-19-related reagents can be found here.Further information is available on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) website.