Redwood AI announced it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Dr. Placide Sesonga of the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda to explore developing an AI-enabled pathogen surveillance and outbreak intelligence initiative across Central and East Africa.
The proposed collaboration aims to strengthen preparedness and early detection capabilities for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Initial efforts are expected to focus on high-priority surveillance regions and mobility corridors in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The initiative would seek to deploy “One Health” pathogen tracking infrastructure across major and secondary border crossings, transit hubs, urban centers, and other high-risk areas. The approach examines the interaction between human and animal health in order to better detect zoonotic diseases.
According to the companies, the proposed system would combine pathogen monitoring, metagenomic sequencing, geospatial analytics, epidemiological analysis, and Redwood AI’s predictive intelligence platform to identify unusual pathogen activity and potential outbreak signals at the population level.
The recent Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries served as a catalyst for discussions surrounding the project. However, the companies emphasized that the initiative is intended to support preparedness efforts for a broad range of infectious diseases rather than focusing exclusively on Ebola.
Under the terms of the LOI, the parties intend to develop project protocols and operational frameworks, identify surveillance sites and mobility corridors, establish analytical workflows, and engage with health ministries, public health institutes, laboratories, academic institutions, and implementation organizations.
The agreement remains non-binding, and any future commitments would require separate definitive agreements. There is no assurance that binding agreements or deployment activities will ultimately occur.
Redwood AI said advances in genomics, sequencing technologies, geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence create opportunities to improve regional outbreak preparedness and support more coordinated public health decision-making.
Separately, the company announced that Graydon Bensler has resigned from its board of directors, effective immediately.
Based in Vancouver, Redwood AI develops artificial intelligence technologies designed to accelerate chemistry research and development, with applications in drug discovery, defense, and safety solutions.
KEY QUOTES:
“Strengthening regional pathogen surveillance and outbreak preparedness requires closer integration of environmental surveillance, laboratory science, genomics, epidemiology, and public health decision-making. We are encouraged by the opportunity to explore innovative approaches that may enhance earlier detection of emerging infectious disease threats and strengthen regional preparedness efforts across Central Africa.”
Dr. Placide Sesonga, Physician And Genomics Specialist, University of Global Health Equity
“We are honoured to work alongside Dr. Sesonga and his team in exploring this important initiative. UGHE has played a critical role in some of the world’s most important pathogen surveillance, outbreak response, and research programs. We believe advances in pathogen tracking, sequencing technologies, geospatial analytics, and AI-enabled intelligence systems offer a meaningful opportunity to strengthen regional outbreak preparedness infrastructure and support earlier, more coordinated public health decision-making for emerging infectious disease threats.”
Kristian Thorlund, President And Director, Redwood AI
