The OBEPINE scientific interest group, set up in 2020 in the context of the Covid-19 crisis, demonstrated the value of epidemiology via wastewater as part of national monitoring of the epidemic, an approach that led to a European recommendation in March 2021. The indicators resulting from this work have been recognised and praised by political decision-makers as highly relevant tools for supporting decision-making. As part of France 2030, and in particular the national strategy for accelerating the response to emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and CBRN threats, the General Secretariat for Investment (SGPI - Prime Minister's Office) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) have asked the OBEPINE GIS to bring together those involved in wastewater epidemiology to design a platform that can be integrated into the national system for preventing and combating future epidemics.

The OBEPINE+ project proposes an R&D platform for epidemiology via wastewater that meets the need for a reliable system for detecting and monitoring emerging infectious diseases and high-risk pathogens. The proposed platform will be capable of supporting any project aimed at extending the innovations developed by OBEPINE to the detection of future epidemics. This project, selected and funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) and led by Sorbonne University, brings together partners from the private and public sectors. It has been awarded €10 million in funding over a five-year period.