Welcome to the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium
Welcome to EPIC – the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium.
EPIC partners play an integral role in infectious disease research, from work that controlled diphtheria and helped eradicate smallpox 100 years ago, to current research in antimicrobial resistance and infection control.
Today, our collective fight against infectious threats, including COVID-19, highly pathogenic avian influenza and mpox, makes clear that there’s never been a more important time to advance EPIC – the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium as a critical hub in the pan-Canadian effort to combat future pandemics.
Building on our momentum in combatting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, EPIC will marshal the advanced research infrastructure and the world-renowned research and training expertise of the EPIC partners to allow an integrated innovative response to infectious diseases.
EPIC is a collaborative initiative among:
- University of Toronto
- The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
- Sunnybrook Research Institute
- University Health Network
- Unity Health Toronto
These globally-leading institutions will make a difference to preventing the next pandemic and enhancing the impact of the life sciences ecosystem in Ontario.
These are the four pillars of EPIC’s work
Toronto High Containment Facility
Toronto’s only Combined Containment Level 3 (C-CL3) facility for the study of high-risk human pathogens has been critical to understanding the viral pathogens and developing therapeutics and treatments. Infectious diseases continue to pose a threat to Canadians’ health and prosperity. Investments in the facility will prepare Ontario and Canada for future pandemics.
Training & Talent
EPIC offers immersive and cross-disciplinary training to a diverse cohort of talent researching infectious diseases, who are ready to work in industry and academia. Hundreds of researchers, clinicians and lab staff will gain access to leading-edge technologies, develop the skills to turn discovery into solutions, and connect Canada to global networks of pandemic surveillance and response.
Transformative Research
EPIC will connect multiple disciplines to address infectious diseases. Insights made possible by state-of-the-art platforms that accelerate the discovery and production of therapies will combine with the expertise of clinicians, engineers, public health experts and scientists to translate treatments to patients and improve their outcomes.
Knowledge Translation
EPIC will play an important role as a knowledge broker. It will create a hub for potential commercialization of novel therapeutics. New researchers at EPIC will be equipped to explain bench science to decision-makers and the public, as well as to translate discoveries into made-in-Canada products and solutions to global health challenges.
EPIC News
Targeting pleural immune cells to treat bacterial infections and improve lung transplant outcomes
Sumiha Karunagaran (left) is investigating how immune cells in the pleural cavity (right- shown in pink) respond to bacterial infections of the lungs April 17, 2025 By Sunitha Chari Lung transplant recipients are on lifelong immunosuppressant drugs to reduce their...
A new bivalent vaccine offers hope for preventing antibiotic-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections
(left to right) Jamie Fegan and Epshita Islam with Trevor Moraes By Sunitha Chari Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new vaccine formulation for the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhea. The formulation comprises two antigens derived...
EPIC recognizes the outstanding scientific contributions of four young researchers through the 2025 Future Leaders Prizes
(left to right) Patrick Budylowski, Ashley Campbell, Julien Couture-Senecal, James Zhu March 14, 2025 By Sunitha Chari Today the University of Toronto’s Emerging & Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) announced the winners of the 2025 Future Leaders Prizes. The...
