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EDCTP Update | November 2024 | |
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Contents
- Twelfth EDCTP Forum: Call for abstracts and scientific symposia open
- Namibia joins EDCTP Association
- Publication on TB vaccine clinical trial centre directory
- EDCTP prize awarded to Professor Peter Kremsner supports water and electricity supply at CERMEL and the start of a clinical trial in Gabon
- Africa Bioethics Network: Survey on research ethics in Africa
- Recent events
- EDCTP2 project news
- EDCTP Fellows
- Publications
- Resources
- Training and funding opportunities
- Mark your calendar
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Twelfth EDCTP Forum: Call for abstracts and scientific symposia open | |
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Global Health EDCTP3 invites the submission of abstracts and scientific symposia to be presented at the Twelfth EDCTP Forum in Kigali, Rwanda from 15-20 June 2025. The deadline for submissions is 23 February 2025. Scholarships covering travel and accommodation costs are available for early and mid-career researchers, with high-ranking abstracts selected for presentation. This support is intended for investigators with limited research funding.
Under the theme ‘Better health through global research partnerships’, the Twelfth EDCTP Forum is hosted by the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, and jointly organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association.
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Namibia joins EDCTP Association | |
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We are pleased to welcome Namibia as the newest member country of the EDCTP Association, bringing the total number of African countries to 30. Namibia formalised its commitment to the EDCTP Association for participation in the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, with its admittance approved by the General Assembly of the EDCTP Association on 27 November 2024.
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Publication on TB vaccine clinical trial centre directory | |
EDCTP prize awarded to Professor Peter Kremsner supports water and electricity supply at CERMEL and the start of a clinical trial in Gabon | |
Africa Bioethics Network: Survey on research ethics in Africa | |
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The Africa Bioethics Network invites stakeholders to participate in a survey on research ethics in Africa. The survey aims to map existing training and capacity-building initiatives across the African continent, identify successful practices and current challenges, and create actionable recommendations for improvement.
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PDP Funders meet around the Dutch Annual PDP Meeting | |
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On 4-6 November 2024, the Product Development Partnership (PDP) Funders Group met in The Hague, the Netherlands, for a series of donor meetings with Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC), Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), PATH and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). The first day of these meetings was hosted by the EDCTP Association, followed by a joint meeting of the PDPs and PDP Funders Group, and the Dutch PDP Annual Meeting 2024, organised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meetings provided an important opportunity for the PDPs to present their work to bring accessible, affordable and appropriate global health products to those who need them most, as well as for the donors to coordinate and align on their funding. The EDCTP Association was represented at the meetings by Dr Pauline Beattie, Operations Manager and Scientific Adviser, Dr Debora Bade, Project Officer, Dr Montserrat Blazquez-Domingo, Senior Project Officer and Dr Johanna Schaefer, Project Officer. Global Health EDCTP3 was represented by Lara Pandya, Team Leader for Strategic Partnerships and Communications.
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Webinar on final reporting for EDCTP2 grant holders | |
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On 14 November 2024, EDCTP organised a webinar on the periodic and final technical and financial reporting to EDCTP2. The workshop aimed to support EDCTP2 grant holders in submitting high-quality periodic and financial reports to EDCTP. Topics covered during the webinar included reporting results of clinical trials and studies, scientific publications and open access; EDCTP communications strategy, and how the grantees can engage and increase their visibility using EDCTP channels. The financial training covered common findings at operational audits and site visits, financial reporting, including eligibility of costs, certificates on financial statements, and reporting on depreciation costs. The presentation slides and video recordings of the webinar are now available on the EDCTP website.
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EDCTP-PACTR virtual workshop on enhancing the functionality of the PACTR registry | |
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The virtual workshop held on 20 November 2024, hosted by the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) in collaboration with EDCTP, was a resounding success. More than 100 participants from diverse roles in clinical research, including Principal Investigators (PIs), clinical research coordinators, regulatory affairs compliance officers, quality coordinators, trial research methodologists, clinical trial operation managers, and other clinical trial professionals took part. The high level of engagement and participation demonstrated the widespread interest in optimising the PACTR registry. EDCTP was represented by Dr Thomas Nyirenda, Strategic Partnerships and Capacity Development Manager and the Head of Africa Office, who contributed valuable insights during the discussions.
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Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association Africa Office participate in DG Marc Lemaître visit to Cape Town | |
Financial and project management training in Dakar, Senegal | |
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From 25-26 November 2024, the EDCTP Association in collaboration with the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (JU) held a two-day financial and project management training in Dakar, Senegal, for Global Health EDCTP3 grant holders. Mr Abdoulie Barry, Acting Executive Director of the EDCTP Association, provided training in financial management of Global Health EDCTP3/Horizon Europe grants, and Dr Pauline Beattie, Operations Manager and Scientific Adviser of the EDCTP Association, provided training in project management. Ms Aleksandra Conversano, Scientific Project Officer, and Mr Vincent Declerfayt, Head of Administration and Finance, Global Health EDCTP3 JU, took part in the workshop and provided an information session on the Global Health EDCTP3 programme.
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WANECAM-2 consortium reports positive results from phase 2b study of novel treatment for children with malaria | | |
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The West African Network for Clinical Trials of Antimalarial Drugs (WANECAM-2) consortium announced on 15 November 2024 positive results from the phase 2b KALUMI study of the novel, non-artemisinin drug ganaplacide combined with a new once-daily formulation of lumefantrine. The results were presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) annual meeting in New Orleans.
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The DIAGMAL project held its final project meeting on 17 and 18 October in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting was hosted by AMREF Health Africa in Nairobi. The DIAGMAL project is coordinated by Dr Henk Schallig (Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands) and aims to develop and evaluate a simple molecular diagnostic test for malaria.
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ALERRT Consortium annual meeting | | |
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The ALERRT Consortium General Assembly took place on 16-17 September 2024 in Accra, Ghana. The meeting brought together several partners of the ALERRT consortium and was hosted by KCCR/KNUST (Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology). Watch the highlight video of the meeting.
ALERRT aims to reduce the public health and socio-economic impact of disease outbreaks by building a sustainable clinical and laboratory research preparedness and response network. The UK Department of Health and Social Care is providing additional funding of €1 million to support the consortium’s research activities on Mpox.
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From SPaRCS to CEPSA: introducing the Centre of Excellence for Pharmacovigilance in Southern Africa | | |
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The EDCTP2-funded SPaRCS project was a key contributor to the establishment of the new Centre of Excellence for Pharmacovigilance in Southern Africa (CEPSA) based at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town, South Africa. SPaRCS was a 3,5-year project that aimed to strengthen pharmacovigilance (PV) systems and clinical trials oversight in four countries – Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Learnings from the project found that a multifaceted approach is required to strengthen PV and regulatory capacity including addressing training and research capacity gaps and building communication strategies.
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SNECFA project conclusion workshop in Cameroon | | |
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The SNECFA project concluded with a successful workshop in Yaoundé, Cameroon on 1-3 October 2024. The workshop brought together representatives from the national ethics committees of Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger, as well as experts from the Cameroon Bioethics Initiative (CAMBIN). Ms Nuraan Fakier, Project Officer, EDCTP Association, attended virtually. The workshop reviewed and highlighted the project's achievements, challenges, and future perspectives in strengthening the capacity of national ethics committees in Francophone West and Central Africa.
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Pasteur Network adhere to the TRUST Code | | |
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The Pasteur Network, an alliance of 32 institutions in 25 countries across 5 continents aiming to tackle global health challenges, has adopted the TRUST Code - A Global Code of Conduct for Equitable Research Partnerships, as part of the Network’s policies and principles. The Code is a resource for all research stakeholders who want to ensure that international research is equitable and carried out without ‘ethics dumping’ and ‘helicopter research’.
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IVI appoints Dr Nicaise Ndembi as Deputy Director General of its Africa Regional Office | | |
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The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) appointed Dr Nicaise Ndembi as the Deputy Director General (DDG) of its Africa Regional Office located in Kigali, Rwanda. Dr Ndembi is a former EDCTP1 Senior Fellow and a renowned virologist and public health expert. He is currently serving as Principal Advisor to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Director General and Deputy Incident Manager Mpox – Marburg Continental Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa. During his tenure at the Africa CDC, Dr Ndembi established the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing, creating a framework for regional vaccine manufacturing and self-reliance.
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Professor Keertan Dheda receives ASSAf Science-for-Society Gold Medals for outstanding achievement | | |
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EDCTP Senior Fellow Professor Keertan Dheda (South Africa) received one of the Academy and the South African (ASSAf) Science-for-Society Gold Medals for outstanding achievement in scientific thinking to the benefit of society. ASSAf Science-for-Society Gold Medals are the apex awards of the Academy and the South African science system and are awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements by individuals.
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KILGORIS project paves the way towards the next generation of HIV-1 immunogens | | |
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The KILGORIS project led by EDCTP Career Development Fellow Dr Andrew Ekii Obuku (Uganda), is a clinical study that aimed to investigate the ability of the human body to control the amount of HIV-1 early in infection without antiretroviral drugs. HIV-1 attacks the body's immune system and destroys CD4 cells, which fight infection in the human body. The study monitored trends during the early stages of HIV-1 infection which are characterized by a gradual increase in the amount of free virus in the human body, and the next level, which is characterised by a rapid drop in free virus before the introduction of antiretroviral treatment.
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EvaLAMP & db-NALFIA study: PhD examination Dawit Hagos | | |
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PhD candidate Dawit G. Hagos successfully defended his PhD thesis titled: “Diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia: Current Challenges and Future Prospects” on 25 October 2024 at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. His (co-)promotors included Prof. Dr Menno de Jong, Dr Henk Schallig, and Dr Dawit Wolday, EDCTP Senior Fellow.
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EDCTP is a member of Europe PMC. This enables EDCTP-funded researchers to share their publications via one central location. Sharing publications by EuropePMC also ensures compliance with EDCTP grant requirements to make publications openly accessible as soon as possible. Submit your manuscript through Europe PMC Plus.
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Malaria Journal: Socio-demographic factors, housing characteristics, and clinical symptoms associated with falciparum malaria in two rapidly urbanizing areas in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Opoku Afriyie, S, et al. 21 November 2024
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Scientific Reports: Polymorphisms in the Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, and Pfk13 genes of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southern Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Baina, MT, et al. 14 November 2024
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Parasitology: Rhipicephalus simus ticks: new hosts for phleboviruses. Munjita, SM, et al. 11 November 2024
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Frontiers in immunology: Gene expression of tight junctions in foreskin is not affected by HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Webb, E L, et al. 6 November 2024
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Eclinicalmedicine: The performance of a point-of-care test for the diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis in a resource-poor community setting in Zambia - a diagnostic accuracy study. Zulu, G, et al. 2 November 2024
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Scientific Reports: A high-performance thin-layer chromatography densitometric method for the separation of isomeric ceftriaxone in powder for injection formulation. Mwamwitwa, K W, et al. 1 November 2024
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The Lancet. Global Health: A loop-mediated isothermal amplification test for yaws: a multi-country diagnostic accuracy evaluation. Handley, B L, et al. 1 November 2024
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Frontiers in Immunology: ProC6C, a novel multi-stage malaria vaccine, elicits functional antibodies against the minor and central repeats of the Circumsporozoite Protein in human adults. Plieskatt, J, et al. 1 November 2024
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Clinical Infectious Diseases: Type 1 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) Incidence, Adherence, and Drug Resistance in Individuals Taking Daily Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate for HIV-1 Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: Pooled Analysis From 72 Global Studies. Landovitz, R J, et al. 1 November 2024
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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes: An item bank to measure health-related quality of life among young children (0-5-years-old) affected by respiratory illnesses - expert stakeholders and end-users from the Western Cape, South Africa. Anthony, M G, et al. 29 October 2024
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International Journal for parasitology: Profile of molecular markers of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in individuals living in southern area of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Djontu, JC, et al. 26 October 2024
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Plos Medicine: Safety of single-dose bedaquiline combined with rifampicin for leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis: A Phase 2 randomized non-inferiority trial in the Comoros Islands. de Jong, BC, et al. 21 October 2024
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Viruses: Patterns of HIV-1 Drug Resistance Observed Through Geospatial Analysis of Routine Diagnostic Testing in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Gounder, L, et al. 19 October 2024
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European Journal of Medical Research: Non-sputum-based samples and biomarkers for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: the hope to improve childhood and HIV-associated tuberculosis diagnosis. Kasule, G W, et al. 18 October 2024
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BMC Research Notes: Recruitment of pregnant and breastfeeding women in pharmacokinetic studies: strategies, opportunities, barriers, and recommendations. Nakijoba, R, et al. 17 October 2024
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PNAS Nexus: Revisiting immunity vs. exposure in schistosomiasis: A mathematical modeling study of delayed concomitant immunity. Milne, G C, et al. 17 October 2024
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Scientific Reports: Evolution of Pfdhps and Pfdhfr mutations before and after adopting seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Nanoro, Burkina Faso. Bohissou, F, et al. 16 October 2024
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Genes: Insecticide Resistance and Target-Site Mutations kdr, N1575Y, and Ace-1 in Anopheles gambiae s.l. Populations in a Low-Malaria-Transmission Zone in the Sudanian Region of Senegal. Gueye, A, et al. 16 October 2024
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Open Forum Infectious Diseases: Virus Load Kinetics in Lassa Fever Patients Treated With Ribavirin: A Retrospective Cohort Study From Southern Nigeria. Ogbaini-Emovon, E, et al. 15 October 2024
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Pathogens: Force of Infection (FOI) and Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) in Plasmodium falciparum Infected Children Aged 1.5–12 Years Living in the Malaria Endemic Area of Banfora, Burkina Faso. Badoum, E S, et al. 10 October 2024
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Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases: Evaluating alternative compounds for strongyloidiasis therapy: Novel insights from larval migration inhibition test. Cambra-Pellejà, M, et al. 7 october 2024
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Frontiers in Immunology: Impaired Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific T-cell memory phenotypes and functional profiles among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Uganda. Ssekamatte, P, et al. 4 October 2024
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The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: Investigating the treatment shortening potential of a combination of bedaquiline, delamanid and moxifloxacin with and without sutezolid, in a murine tuberculosis model with confirmed drug exposures. Walter, K, et al. 1 October 2024
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BMC Nephrology: Higher prevalence of kidney function impairment among older people living with HIV in Uganda. Ssemasaazi, AJ, et al. 27 September 2024
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Open Forum Infectious Diseases: Diagnostic Performance of Unstimulated IFN-γ (IRISA-TB) for Pleural Tuberculosis: A Prospective Study in South Africa and India. Christopher, D J, et al. 24 September 2024
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Bulletin of the World Health Organization: Building sustainable capacity to adopt, adapt or develop child health guidelines, Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa. Kredo, T, et al. 2 September 2024
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The Lancet. Microbe: Implications of subclinical tuberculosis for vaccine trial design and global effect. Churchyard, G J, et al. 1 July 2024
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Training and funding opportunities | |
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IVCC call for proposals: How can we address the gaps in the vector control toolbox for malaria? | Deadline for applications: 16 December 2024
The Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) has launched a call for proposals to advance vector control tools for malaria by addressing the critical gaps in the existing toolbox. While current methods primarily target indoor mosquito behaviour, IVCC is looking for Proof of Concept (PoC) projects that target aspects of the mosquito lifecycle beyond indoor feeding and resting.
More information »
eLearning Course Relaunch: The Data Life Cycle: Practices and Policies
The Global Health Network is pleased to announce the update and relaunch of the previous Data Sharing course, now called ‘The Data Life Cycle: Practices and Policies.’ This course provides practical, up-to-date guidance on data management and sharing, addressing the challenges faced in this area. Each module, written by subject-matter experts and peer-reviewed, incorporates the latest references and best practices. All modules were reviewed and updated by the EDCTP Networks of Excellence Data Sharing Working Group.
More information »
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EDCTP events
Workshop Series: Implementing the AU-EU Innovation Agenda | 3 December 2024
This third Workshop in the Workshop Series on the implementation of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda will provide you with insights on the impact and perspectives of innovations in Public Health as part of the implementation of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. Dr Thomas Nyirenda, Strategic Partnerships & Capacity Development Manager and Head of Africa Office, EDCTP Association, will present about the opportunities from the Global Health EDCTP3 Work Programme 2024 (e.g. Fellowship Schemes) and/or from the activities of the EDCTP Africa Office.
More information »
PROFORMA Project Closure Symposium | 19 December 2024
After six impactful years of strengthening pharmacovigilance regulatory capacity in East Africa, the PROFORMA project is concluding. To commemorate this milestone and celebrate its achievements – including the graduation of five new PhD doctors trained through the project and the publication of over 25 original research articles – a closure symposium will be held in Stockholm, Sweden, on 19 December 2024. Dr Thomas Nyirenda, Strategic Partnerships & Capacity Development Manager and Head of Africa Office, will represent EDCTP at the symposium.
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Twelfth EDCTP Forum | 15-20 June 2025
The Twelfth EDCTP Forum will take place on 15-20 June 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda. The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Health of Rwanda and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, and jointly organised by Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association. The theme for the 2025 Forum is “Better health through global research partnerships”. Calls for submission of abstracts and scientific symposia are open, with a deadline of 23 February 2025. More information on the programme, registration, and sponsorship opportunities will be made available soon.
More information »
Other events
Science Forum South Africa | 4-6 December 2024
The Science Forum South Africa will be held from 4 to 6 December 2024 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa. The Forum serves as a large, open, public platform for debating the science and society interface. The theme is Igniting Conversations about Science – Innovation and Science for Humanity.
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Third Annual Ethiopian Research Ethics Conference 2024 | 10-11 December 2024
The Third Annual Ethiopian Research Ethics Conference 2024 will take place on 10-11 December 2024. The event is co-hosted by Addis Ababa University, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute, and Ethiopian Ministry of Education. Invited speakers include Ethiopian and international experts. Additionally, the programme will consist of selected poster display and oral presentations. The conference is accepting two types of presentation formats: oral presentations and poster presentations. Submissions addressing research ethics issues or processes relevant to research implementation and governance in Ethiopia are invited.
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WHO launches new clinical trials guidance – What do I need to know?
The publication of the WHO guidance for best practices for clinical trials in September 2024 was a major milestone. For the first time, there is now global guidance applicable to the design and conduct of all clinical trials (whether or not they include investigational products), also with relevance to observational studies. WHO and The Global Health Network are convening a global event to present the key aspects of this new guidance. This will be an informative opportunity to hear directly from WHO and learn how this guidance can help support and strengthen your research.
More information »
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EDCTP Communications thanks everyone who provided information for this Update. |
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