GISAID

What GISAID does

GISAID is a nonprofit global data-sharing initiative, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, that maintains the world's primary open-access repository of pathogen genetic sequence data and associated clinical, epidemiological, and demographic metadata. The legal entity is Freunde von GISAID e.V. (Friends of GISAID), a registered non-profit association. The platform began with influenza (EpiFlu) and has expanded to cover SARS-CoV-2 (EpiCoV), mpox (EpiPox), respiratory syncytial virus (EpiRSV), and arboviruses (EpiArbo), with more than 22.3 million cumulative genetic sequence submissions across all databases. The core technology is a cloud-based relational database platform enabling near real-time data submission, curation, and retrieval, with sequences made available within four weeks of isolation. Supporting modules include FluSurver and CoVsurver mutation analysis applications, a Submission Tool CLI4, EPI_SET identifiers integrated with DataCite DOIs, and real-time phylogenetic and variant tracking dashboards. The platform is hosted through a public-private partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany, with bioinformatics infrastructure contributed by Singapore's A*STAR Bioinformatics Institute.

GISAID provides free registration-based access to researchers, laboratories, and public health officials worldwide, with usage governed by a Database Access Agreement that mandates contributor acknowledgment and anti-misuse provisions enforced by a Compliance Board. The platform holds Open Access designation from re3data.org and DataCite, WHO endorsement, and recognition from G20 Health Ministers in the 2017 Berlin Declaration. The revenue model is donation- and grant-based, with disclosed contributions from Seqirus (€250,000, 2018), Sanofi Pasteur's Foundation for Influenza Epidemiology (€300,000, 2018), and the AHF Global Public Health Institute at the University of Miami ($50,000, 2022), supplemented by in-kind German government hosting of the core EpiFlu database.

The primary user base consists of WHO Collaborating Centers for Influenza (including US CDC, China CDC, and Institut Pasteur), National Influenza Centers in 113 WHO Member States, and academic and research institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Erasmus Medical Center, and CSIRO. GISAID's value proposition centers on solving the reluctance among scientists and countries to share pathogen sequence data before publishing, by combining open access with contributor protection, mandatory attribution, and reproducibility tooling. The initiative played a documented role in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the 2013 H7N9 outbreak, the COVID-19 response (with the first SARS-CoV-2 genome shared within 24 hours of identification in January 2020), the Omicron variant identification in November 2021, and ongoing H5N1 and mpox Clade Ib surveillance through 2025-2026.

Name

GISAID

Legal name

Freunde von GISAID e.V.

Website

https://gisaid.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GISAID is a Munich-based nonprofit operating the world's primary open-access pathogen genomic data-sharing platform, serving WHO, national public health agencies, and research institutions across 215 countries with databases covering influenza, SARS-CoV-2, mpox, RSV, and arboviruses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pathogen Genomic Data Sharing Platform

NAICS

Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (519290)

akta.pro primary industry

Laboratory-Based Surveillance & Genomic Epidemiology (WGS/NGS) (HLAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease Surveillance, Epidemiology & Outbreak Response (BPAIAJAA), Modeling, Forecasting & Risk Assessment for Outbreaks (HLAJABAM), Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance & Control (HLAJABAG), Disease & Condition Surveillance Programs (HLAJANAB)

Keywords

• Genomic surveillance databases
• Pathogen sequence sharing
• Influenza genomic database
• Viral genome platform
• Epidemic intelligence data

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: GISAID operates as a non-profit initiative funded through donations and grants from governments, foundations, and private sector partners. The Federal Republic of Germany hosts the EpiFlu database through a public-private partnership. Funding has included contributions from Seqirus (€250,000), Sanofi Pasteur's Foundation for Influenza Epidemiology (€300,000), and AHF Global Public Health Institute ($50,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GISAID operates a global open-access platform for sharing pathogen genetic sequence data and associated virological, clinical, epidemiological, and demographic metadata. Its core offering consists of five pathogen-specific databases — EpiFlu (influenza), EpiCoV (SARS-CoV-2), EpiPox (mpox), EpiRSV, and EpiArbo (dengue and arboviruses) — supported by phylodynamics tools, variant tracking dashboards, mutation analysis apps, and the EPI_SET identifier system. Access is free and provided to registered researchers, laboratories, and public health officials worldwide.

Product overview

GISAID operates a suite of pathogen genomic surveillance databases built around its core EpiFlu Database, expanded to include EpiCoV (SARS-CoV-2), EpiPox (mpox), EpiRSV, and EpiArbo for different viral families. The platform integrates phylodynamics analysis tools, variant tracking dashboards, and frequency visualizations to enable near real-time genomic surveillance. Supporting modules include the Submission Tool CLI4 for data upload, EPI_SET identifiers with DOI integration for reproducible datasets, and mutation analysis apps (CoVsurver, FluSurver) for variant characterization. All data is shared under an Open Access model with attribution requirements enforced through the Database Access Agreement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EpiFlu: GISAID's primary database for influenza virus sequence data
• EpiCoV
• EpiPox
• EpiArbo
• EpiRSV
• GISAID Academy

Products and services

• EpiFlu Database The primary relational database for influenza virus gene sequences along with associated virological, clinical, epidemiological, and demographic metadata. Provides access to sequences from viruses isolated less than four weeks earlier, enabling near real-time analysis for researchers, laboratories, and public health officials.
• EpiCoV Database Dedicated database for hCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) genomic data, providing variant tracking, phylogenetic analysis, and frequency dashboards for global COVID-19 surveillance.
• EpiPox Database Database providing access to latest genome sequences and associated metadata of mpox viruses, including Clade Ib and recombinant Ib+IIb variants, with phylogenetic monitoring capabilities.
• EpiRSV Database Database for respiratory syncytial virus genomic surveillance, including RSV subtype tracking and phylogenetic analysis.
• EpiArbo Database Database for arbovirus genomic surveillance, supporting research on dengue and other arboviral diseases with phylodynamics tools.
• EPI_SET Identifier Functionality that aggregates GISAID Accession Numbers into a single permanent dataset identifier (EPI_SET ID) with a corresponding DOI, enabling data contributor acknowledgment and reproducibility of analyses across publications.
• Submission Tool CLI4 Command-line submission tool enabling laboratories to upload genetic sequence data and associated metadata to GISAID's pathogen databases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Enabled the first SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences to be shared within 24 hours of notification in January 2020
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Federal Republic of GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany hosts the EpiFlu database through a public-private partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany. The government provides infrastructure and operational support, enabling GISAID to maintain its critical role in global health security. This partnership was formalized in 2010 and has been continuously renewed.
• Friends of GISAID (Freunde von GISAID e.V.)coreOthersFriends of GISAID is the registered non-profit association that serves as the administrative arm of the GISAID Initiative, organizing governance, funding, and operational activities.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGISAID works closely with WHO's Global Influenza Programme (GIP) and the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), which encompasses 143 institutions across 113 WHO Member States. WHO officially endorses GISAID and integrates it into pandemic preparedness frameworks.
• Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), SingaporecoreTechnology or IntegrationA*STAR's Bioinformatics Institute provides computational expertise and develops bioinformatics pipelines for GISAID platform, including next-generation sequencing analysis tools.
• Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPI recognizes GISAID as a key player in ensuring effective data sharing and has endorsed GISAID's contribution to pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.
• WHO Collaborating Centers for InfluenzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO Collaborating Centers in Atlanta, Beijing, London, Melbourne, and Tokyo use GISAID as the preferred platform for sharing influenza genetic sequence data, contributing to global surveillance and vaccine strain selection.
• National Influenza CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 136 National Influenza Centers in 106 countries use GISAID for submitting and accessing influenza data, enabling coordinated global surveillance.
• Global Influenza Hospital-based Surveillance Network (GIHSN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with GIHSN to promote sharing and integration of clinical, epidemiological and virological data to better understand severe influenza impact and vaccination benefits.
• Government of IndonesiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndonesia's National Institute of Health Research and Development (NIHRD) hosts GISAID bioinformatics training workshops and participates in the platform through governmental public-health partnerships.
• Government of ArgentinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernmental public-health and academic institutions in Argentina participate in the GISAID Initiative through public-private partnerships.
• Government of BrazilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian governmental public-health and academic institutions partner with GISAID, including hosting the 2024 Arbovirus Summit with Indonesia.
• Government of ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina CDC uses GISAID and was the first to share SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequence via the platform in January 2020. Chinese institutions actively contribute data for surveillance.
• Government of Republic of the CongominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGISAID established its Regional Hub in Central Africa based in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, supporting surveillance work and international collaboration in the African region.
• Government of EthiopiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthiopian governmental public-health institutions participate in the GISAID Initiative through public-private partnerships for influenza surveillance.
• Government of MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMalaysian governmental public-health and academic institutions participate in the GISAID Initiative through public-private partnerships.
• Government of RussiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRussian governmental public-health and academic institutions participate in the GISAID Initiative through public-private partnerships.
• Government of SenegalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenegalese governmental public-health and academic institutions participate in the GISAID Initiative through public-private partnerships.
• Government of South AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African governmental public-health and academic institutions participate in the GISAID Initiative through public-private partnerships.
• Institut Pasteur NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitut Pasteur de Dakar and other Pasteur Institute network members contribute to GISAID data sharing and bioinformatics training workshops across Africa.
• Dr. Marie-Paule KienyminorOthersFormer WHO Assistant Director-General advises GISAID on international affairs, bringing expertise from leading the WHO R&D initiative during the Ebola crisis.
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECDC congratulated GISAID on its 10-year anniversary and recognizes its key role in global and European pandemic preparedness.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• WHO GISRS (Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System): The 70-year-old WHO-coordinated network of 143 National Influenza Centers and WHO Collaborating Centers that uses GISAID for sequence data sharing. Not a direct competitor but the institutional framework that mandates GISAID usage for vaccine strain selection and pandemic preparedness.

Direct peers

• NCBI GenBank: NIH's foundational genetic sequence database operated by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Directly comparable to GISAID as the two primary repositories for pathogen genomic data, but differentiated by GISAID's contributor attribution model versus GenBank's anonymous public-domain submission approach.
• European Nucleotide Archive (ENA): EMBL-EBI's open-access nucleotide sequence archive serves as the EU counterpart to NCBI GenBank and provides overlapping capability with GISAID for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza submissions. Comparable as a primary genomic data repository with similar metadata requirements but different access governance models.
• NCBI Virus: NCBI's specialized portal for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and other viral sequence data with integrated SRA (Sequence Read Archive) data. Directly competes with GISAID's EpiCoV and EpiFlu offerings for researchers seeking viral genomic data with phylogenetic visualization tools.
• BV-BRC (Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center): NIAID-supported bioinformatics resource center that integrates ViPR (Virus Pathogen Database and Analysis Resource) functionality. Offers directly comparable viral genomic surveillance, analysis tools, and metadata curation capabilities to GISAID's database ecosystem.
• Influenza Research Database (IRD): NIAID-funded database that previously served as the primary US repository for influenza sequence data and analytics. Directly comparable to GISAID's EpiFlu database, offering similar virological and sequence analysis tools with academic/research institution focus.

Emerging players

• Nextstrain: Open-source pathogen phylogenetic tracking platform founded by Trevor Bedford and Richard Neher, providing real-time visualization of viral evolution. Comparable to GISAID's phylogenetic trees and variant dashboards, but focuses on visualization and analytics rather than primary sequence data hosting.
• PHA4GE (Public Health Alliance for Genomic Epidemiology): Global consortium developing standards, tools, and best practices for public health genomic epidemiology. Complementary to GISAID's mission—addressing data quality, metadata standards, and analytical pipelines that underpin surveillance platforms including GISAID itself.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gisaid

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GISAID