Sharing Pathogen Genomic Sequence Data — Toward Effective Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response

This policy-oriented perspective outlines challenges and recommendations for global sharing of pathogen genomic sequence data. It highlights the importance of timely access to genetic data for outbreak tracking, diagnostics, and vaccine development. The authors analyze fragmented repository systems like GISAID, Virological.org, and GenBank, comparing their data sharing policies, commercial use restrictions, and intellectual property frameworks. They propose solutions to overcome barriers: formal public-health-use agreements between repositories, technological tools for automated attribution, and integration of data-sharing mandates into the international pandemic preparedness treaty. The paper argues for harmonized, interoperable, and equitable data sharing to support global health readiness and prevent skewed epidemiological insights.

This policy-oriented perspective outlines challenges and recommendations for global sharing of pathogen genomic sequence data. It highlights the importance of timely access to genetic data for outbreak tracking, diagnostics, and vaccine development. The authors analyze fragmented repository systems like GISAID, Virological.org, and GenBank, comparing their data sharing policies, commercial use restrictions, and intellectual property frameworks. They propose solutions to overcome barriers: formal public-health-use agreements between repositories, technological tools for automated attribution, and integration of data-sharing mandates into the international pandemic preparedness treaty. The paper argues for harmonized, interoperable, and equitable data sharing to support global health readiness and prevent skewed epidemiological insights.