COVID-19 is a novel infectious disease that can affect other organ systems in addition to the respiratory tract, especially in severe cases. The extent and nature of this extra-pulmonary organ involvement has a direct influence on the individual clinical prognosis as well as therapeutic strategies and options. Accordingly, the overarching goal of the "National Competence Network Organo-Strat" was to make a significant contribution to the understanding of COVID-19 and the multiple organ involvement associated with the disease and possible treatment options. In order to clarify these largely open and clinically highly relevant questions, a systematic, organ-specific stratification for COVID-19 was established. "Organo-Strat" used COVID-19 to establish a modular and flexible network structure that will be able to provide information on organ-specific stratification in the future as soon as new pathogens emerge, in the sense of "pandemic preparedness". The pooling of expertise from a wide range of disciplines within the NUM is as unique as it is necessary to manage this and future pandemics.