INRS and the Pasteur Network bring together scientists from 25 countries in Québec to strengthen the fight against pandemics
Held in North America for the first time, the Pasteur Network Annual Meeting highlighted how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can advance global health preparedness and response
Institut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS
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The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the Pasteur Network brought together more than 200 specialists in infectious diseases, public health, and biomedical research from 25 countries in Laval, Québec, from November 3 to 5, 2026, for the Pasteur Network Annual Meeting (PNAM).
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LAVAL (QUEBEC), November 6, 2026 – The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the Pasteur Network brought together specialists in infectious diseases, public health, and biomedical research from 25 countries in Laval, Québec, from November 3 to 5, 2026, for the Pasteur Network Annual Meeting (PNAM).
Held in North America for the first time, the international gathering provided a unique forum for scientific leaders, researchers, and public health experts to explore how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can strengthen pandemic preparedness and response. Over three days, participants exchanged knowledge, shared best practices, and reinforced collaborations to address current and future global health challenges.
“INRS was honoured to co-organize and host this major international gathering in Québec. Bringing together scientists from around the world in Laval demonstrated the importance of international collaboration in advancing knowledge and developing innovative solutions to better protect populations against future health threats. The event also showcased Québec's expertise and leadership in research, innovation, and global health,” said Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Chief Executive Officer of INRS.
Over three days, ten sessions and four roundtables explored how AI and emerging technologies can help detect, interpret, and respond more rapidly to infectious disease threats. Discussions focused on epidemic intelligence, pathogen genomics, the accelerated development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, and the complex interactions between human, animal, and environmental health that underpin the One Health approach.
Participants also examined the ethical, governance, and equity dimensions of the growing use of AI in research and public health. The meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen existing collaborations and foster new partnerships among members of the Pasteur Network and the broader international scientific community.
PNAM 2026: Key outcomes
Scientists, public health experts, and research leaders from 25 countries gathered in Laval, Québec;
Ten scientific sessions and four roundtables explored artificial intelligence and emerging technologies for global health;
Participants shared advances in epidemic intelligence, pathogen genomics, vaccine development, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
Discussions addressed the ethical, governance, and equity implications of AI in public health and biomedical research;
Early-career researchers presented innovative projects and engaged with international scientific leaders;
New opportunities for scientific collaboration and training were identified across the Pasteur Network and its partner institutions;
The meeting reinforced the role of international cooperation in strengthening preparedness for future health threats.
“The Pasteur Network brings together institutions that share a common ambition: putting science to work for global health. PNAM 2026 offered a unique opportunity to harness the expertise across our network to accelerate innovation and strengthen our collective capacity to address global health challenges, from infectious diseases to emerging health threats and other pressing public health priorities,” said Mario Moreira, President of the Pasteur Network.
The meeting also highlighted Québec's growing role within the Pasteur Network and its contribution to global health research and innovation. Participants included leading scientists, public health experts, institutional leaders, and members of the next generation of researchers committed to advancing scientific solutions to pressing health challenges.
The Pasteur Network is an alliance of 33 research, innovation, and public health institutions across five continents. Many of its members play a key role in infectious disease surveillance, biomedical research, epidemic preparedness, and public health response.
Hosting PNAM 2026 marks an important milestone in the development of the Pasteur Network in Québec. A member of the Network since 2005 through its Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, INRS expanded its membership in 2026 to include all of its research centres.
“The discussions held throughout PNAM 2026 underscored the importance of combining expertise from across disciplines to address increasingly complex health challenges. The participation of all INRS research centres in the Pasteur Network positions us to contribute new perspectives and innovative approaches to this global effort,” said Isabelle Delisle, Scientific Director of INRS.
The same year, the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal joined the Network as an Associate Member under INRS sponsorship, further strengthening the Pasteur Network's presence in North America.
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About INRS
The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) is a university dedicated exclusively to research and graduate training in strategic sectors in Québec. Since its founding in 1969, it has actively contributed to Québec’s economic, social, and cultural development. INRS ranks 1st in Québec for research intensity. It is made up of five interdisciplinary research and training centres, located in Québec City, Montréal, Laval, Varennes, and Charlevoix, which focus their activities on strategic sectors: Eau Terre Environnement, Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, Urbanisation Culture Société, Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, and Ruralités durables. Its community includes nearly 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and staff.
About the Pasteur Network
The Pasteur Network is an alliance of more than 30 organizations that plays a crucial role in tackling global health challenges through science, innovation, and public health. Its strength lies in the diversity and broad geographic reach of its members, spread across 25 countries on five continents and united by shared values and missions in service of populations, fostering a dynamic community of scientific knowledge and expertise that is both locally rooted and globally connected (pasteur-network.org).
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