With the establishment of the DEFEAT PANDEMIcs platform, data, biosamples and findings were utilised for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results have helped to achieve, among other things, a precise understanding of the body's pathological reactions in infectious diseases and improved diagnosis and treatment options. The unique networking of most pathological, neuropathological and forensic institutes of German university hospitals as well as non-university partners was able to contribute to a better understanding of Covid-19 research and patient care by establishing a permanent structure.

On this basis, an organisational structure for autopsies was created after the end of DEFEAT PANDEMIcs, which is prepared for future pandemics and can react quickly and in a coordinated manner across the board - the National Autopsy Network (NATON), which has been continued within the NUM since 2022.