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EDCTP Update | September 2024 | |
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Contents
- Eswatini joins EDCTP Association
- Save the date! 15-20 June 2025: Twelfth EDCTP Forum
- WHO publishes guidance for best practices for clinical trials
- Africa CDC and WHO launch joint continental plan to scale up Mpox outbreak response
- Recent events
- EDCTP2 project news
- EDCTP Fellows
- Publications
- Resources
- Training and funding opportunities
- Mark your calendar
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Eswatini joins EDCTP Association | |
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EDCTP is pleased to welcome Eswatini on board as the newest member country of the EDCTP Association, bringing the total number of African countries to 29. Eswatini formalised its commitment to the EDCTP Association for participation in the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, with its admittance approved by the Association members on 23 September 2024.
Read more »
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Save the date! 15-20 June 2025: Twelfth EDCTP Forum | |
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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”.
The opening ceremony of the Twelfth EDCTP Forum will take place on 15 June 2025 and will be followed by three days of scientific programme from 16-18 June 2025. The last two days will be dedicated to workshops, side meetings and visits to research centres in Kigali on 19-20 June 2025. More information on the programme, registration, abstract submission and sponsorship opportunities will be available on the Forum website, which will be launched soon.
Read more »
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WHO publishes guidance for best practices for clinical trials | |
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) organised on 25 September 2024 a webinar for the launch of the “Guidance for best practices for clinical trials”. Dr Thomas Nyirenda, Head of the EDCTP Africa Office, was a member of the Technical Advisory Group supporting the development of the guidance. Dr Val Snewin, UK Department of Health and Social Care and EDCTP Association member, and Dr Michael Makanga, Executive Director, Global Health EDCTP3, participated in the panel discussion at the launch of the guidance.
The EDCTP programmes and the EC (DG RTD) have contributed to the development of these guidelines: The UK Department of Health provided funding to support staff costs and the regional consultation meetings that informed the guidance.
Read more »
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Africa CDC and WHO launch joint continental plan to scale up Mpox outbreak response | |
On 6 September 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) launched a joint continental response plan for Africa to support countries’ efforts to control the ongoing mpox outbreak. The plan includes measures to strengthen surveillance, laboratory detection, case management, infection prevention and control, vaccination, risk communication and community engagement, and research and innovation. This continental response, co-coordinated by Africa CDC and WHO, is supported by workstreams led by key partners. Global Health EDCTP3 is acknowledged as one of the key partners under ‘Pillar 8: Research and Innovation’. The programme has recently announced the launch of Global Health EDCTP3-funded projects to combat mpox. | |
EDCTP session at SSUNGA79 | |
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On 26 September 2024, Global Health EDCTP3 and the EDCTP Association co-organised a virtual session as part of the 10th edition of the Science Summit during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (SSUNGA79), which illustrated the value of investing in collaborative clinical research in Africa to develop local solutions with broader application against the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This meeting, attended by key stakeholders in global health, underscored the urgent importance of addressing AMR to propel progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in low- and middle-income countries.
The event featured the intentional approach to combat AMR and a combination of EDCTP2 and Global Health EDCTP3-supported project presentations and a panel discussion on identifying the priority areas for mitigating AMR that Global Health EDCTP3 and its partners can take forward. Speakers emphasised the need for having an integrated and tailored strategy which is consistent and coherent with One Health; ensuring equitable access to antimicrobials by addressing the pathway from end-to-end in the clinical development process; and encouraging increased investment by governments in national action plans, including a more coherent approach to health surveillance – with the minimum essential as opposed to maximum available data – across countries. The EDCTP Regional Networks of Excellence were identified as having a key role to play in addressing these needs, with EDCTP being recognised as a key partner pushing for change with a clear role that it can play as an implementor of UN priorities. The meeting ended with a call for action for the development of an investment case and a comprehensive AMR R&D agenda clearly articulating research priorities, observing equity in science and access.
Visit the event page for more information, view the information brochure and watch the session recording (once available).
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World Congress of Epidemiology | |
The World Congress of Epidemiology (WCE2024) took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 24-27 September 2024. The theme of WCE2024 is “Epidemiology and complexity: challenges and responses” which will engage the full depth and breadth of methods and practice in contemporary epidemiology. Several EDCTP-funded grantees attended the conference to present their work, including fellows from the MPHEBDOER and SCEPRESSA projects. EDCTP Africa Office (represented by Ms Nuraan Fakier, Dr Phindile Ximba and Ms Andishwa Zitho) attended the conference and hosted a booth on EDCTP2- and Global Health EDCTP3-supported activities. | |
Financial and project management training workshop in Nairobi | |
From 16-17 September 2027, the EDCTP Association in collaboration with the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking held a two-day training in Nairobi for Global Health EDCTP3 grant holders based in East Africa. 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. Colleagues from the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (Dr Liesbet de Cock, Mr Vincent Declerfayt, Neodia Mensing-Flores) provided an information session on the Global Health EDCTP3 programme and how to manage grants in the IT system. | |
AVAREF-EDCTP-AUDA-NEPAD workshop for clinical trial assessors within NRAs from francophone-speaking countries in Africa | |
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AVAREF, in collaboration with EDCTP and AUDA-NEPAD, developed a comprehensive training series to provide the necessary training to scientific reviewers within the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to enable them to review clinical trial dossiers. These courses are offered through the Research Ethics Committees (RECs) to optimise the selection of the right reviewers from the agencies that require the training, encourage the familiarisation of AVAREF tools, guidelines, and processes for clinical trial reviews, and adoption of AVAREF tools. The regional trainings are expected to be part of the institutional development plan that would allow the countries to make their regulatory functions operational.
The latest AVAREF-EDCTP regional ethics and regulatory workshop took place in Dakar, Senegal, from 23-27 September 2024. EDCTP was represented by General Assembly Representatives from Benin and Senegal, who facilitated engaging training sessions on ethics reviews (Prof. Nonvignon Marius Kêdoté) and ethical considerations during pandemics (Prof. Samba Cor Sarr). Grantees from the EDCTP Association and Global Health EDCTP3 were invited to participate online.
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SINDOFO: First participants recruited for ZYFER-1 | | |
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On 30 August 2024, the SINDOFO consortium project announced the successful enrolment of the first two sentinel patients in the ZYFER-1 clinical trial, marking a significant milestone for the SINDOFO project.
The SINDOFO consortium aims to develop an innovative, shorter treatment regimenfor Plasmodium falciparum malaria based on a combination of two promising drug candidates, ferroquine and ZY19489. The ZYFER-1 phase I clinical trial, is being carried out in CERMEL, Gabon. A phase II trial (ZYFER-2) is planned to start in 2025 in African countries in the SINDOFO consortium. The pharmaceutical company, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, India, is the clinical sponsor.
Read more »
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The post-discharge malaria chemoprevention study (PDMC-II) achieved the 50% recruitment | | |
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In early September 2024, the PDMC-II study reached the 50% recruitment milestone of the sample size (n=958). The PDMC-II study aims to determine if monthly post-discharge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) with the combination of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and azithromycin (DP+AZ) over 4 months is superior to PDMC with DP alone in reducing all-cause sick-child clinic visits by 6 months post-discharge management of children aged <5 years with severe anaemia who are ready to be discharged, clinically stable and able to switch to oral medication. The study is being implemented in Jinja and Kitgum in Uganda, Kisumu and Busia in Kenya, and Zomba and Lilongwe in Malawi. | |
Annual PREGART Project Consortium Meeting Held in Ethiopia | | |
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The Annual PREGART Project Consortium meeting took place from 5-6 August 2024, at Haile Resort in Hawassa City, Ethiopia. The event brought together over 60 participants, including consortium members, government stakeholders, and representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority, and partner organizations. Attendees gathered to review the project’s progress, share insights, and outline plans for the year ahead. The PREGART Project is dedicated to enhancing antiretroviral treatment outcomes for pregnant women and improving the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) across Africa.
Read more »
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Click TB Consortium completes recruitment for novel oral carbapenem antibiotic | | |
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The TASK-009-SANF, a Phase 2A clinical trial investigating the use of sanfetrinem cilexetil—an oral carbapenem antibiotic for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)—has successfully concluded patient enrolment. The last participant's final visit was recorded on 19 August 2024. This EDCTP-funded research is part of the Click TB consortium, led by GSK. The Click-TB study aims to identify the most promising combinations of TB drugs from a pool of early-stage candidates from new chemical classes.
Read more »
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TEBWA project: strengthening capacity in biostatistics in West and Central Africa through networking and collaborations | | |
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The TEBWA project reports on their participation in the workshop “Strengthening Capacity in Biostatistics in West and Central Africa through dynamic Networking and Collaborations” which took place in Benin from 18-20 December 2023. Among the workshop’s recommendations was the creating of the “West and Central Africa Biostatistical Modelling Consortium (WesCAB)” to mobilise funding to advance research in biostatistics, and training of trainers to fill the shortage of biostatistics specialists in the sub-region.
Read more »
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Professor Collen Masimirembwa to receive an award at PMWC 2025 | | |
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Prof. Collen Masimirembwa (Zimbabwe), former EDCTP Senior Fellow, has received the Precision Medicine World Congress (PMWC) Pioneer Award for his contributions to pharmacogenomics, in understanding genetic factors affecting drug response in diverse populations. Prof. Masimirembwa will receive the award at the PMWC 2025, which will take place on 5-7 February 2025 in Silicon Valley, USA, where he is also a speaker. The organisers of the conference conducted an interview with Prof. Masimirembwa highlighting his groundbreaking work and contribution to health research in Africa.
Read the interview »
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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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The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: Pharmacokinetics of once-daily darunavir/ritonavir in second-line treatment in African children with HIV. Tsirizani, L, et al. 20 September 2024
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Plos Medicine: HIV, malnutrition, and noncommunicable disease epidemics among tuberculosis-affected households in east and southern Africa: A cross-sectional analysis of the ERASE-TB cohort. Calderwood, CJ, et al. 16 September 2024
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Infect Dis Poverty: The abundance of snail hosts mediates the effects of antagonist interactions between trematodes on the transmission of human schistosomes. Douchet, P, et al. 10 September 2024
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The Lancet: A call for global solidarity and rapid action to control mpox. Nachega, J B, et al. 9 September 2024
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PLoS One: The relationship between selected sexually transmitted pathogens, HPV and HIV infection status in women presenting with gynaecological symptoms in Maputo City, Mozambique. Maueia, C, et al. 6 September 2024
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The European Respiratory Journal: Accuracy of Computer-Aided Detection for Tuberculosis ® on paediatric chest radiographs. Edem, VF, et al. 3 September 2024
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Trials: Anti-infectivity efficacy and pharmacokinetics of WHO recommended single low-dose primaquine in children with acute Plasmodium falciparum in Burkina Faso: study protocol. Ouédraogo, A, et al. 3 September 2024
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British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: Influence of age and co-medication on dolutegravir glucuronidation in paediatric patients. Jacobs, T G, et al. 3 September 2024
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Nature Communications: Long-term cellular immunity of vaccines for Zaire Ebola Virus Diseases. Wiedemann, A, et al. 3 September 2024
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Malaria Journal: Assessing the therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for uncomplicated malaria in Lagos, Nigeria: a comprehensive study on treatment response and resistance markers. Oyebola, K M, et al. 29 August 2024
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PLOS Global Public Health: Exposure to bovine livestock and latent tuberculosis infection in children: Investigating the zoonotic tuberculosis potential in a large urban and peri-urban area of Cameroon. Tsasse, MAF, et al. 26 August 2024
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Clinical Infectious Diseases: Implementation of single high-dose liposomal amphotericin B based induction therapy for treatment of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda: a comparative prospective cohort study. Gakuru, J, et al. 24 August 2024
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BMC Nephrology: Prevalence and associations of chronic kidney disease among antiretroviral therapy-naïve persons living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria. Odubela, OO, et al. 23 August 2024
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Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials: Clinical application of whole-genome sequencing in the management of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis: a case report. Katale, B Z, et al. 22 August 2024
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Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials: PneumoniaCheck, a novel aerosol collection device, permits capture of airborne Mycobacterium tuberculosis and characterisation of the cough aeromicrobiome in people with tuberculosis. Chiyaka, T L, et al. 22 August 2024
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The Journal of Infectious Diseases: Disease-specific differences in pharmacokinetics of paromomycin and miltefosine between post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis patients in eastern Africa. Chu, W, et al. 21 August 2024
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Viruses: Identification of HPV16 Lineages in South African and Mozambican Women with Normal and Abnormal Cervical Cytology. Maueia, C, et al. 18 August 2024
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Genes (Basel): Impact of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection on the Selection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Mutations. Baruti, K, et al. 25 July 2024
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Inquiry: Adverse Drug Reactions Resulting From the Use of Chiral Medicines Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid, and Ceftriaxone: A Mixed Prospective-Retrospective Cohort Study. Mwamwitwa, K W, et al. 1 January 2024
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Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences: HIV cure strategies: which ones are appropriate for Africa? Abana, C, et al. 6 July 2024
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Training and funding opportunities | |
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TRANSVAC Academy courses on vaccine development research | Deadline for applications: 21 October 2024
TRANSVAC Academy is offering three courses on vaccine development research: Vaccine Process Development and Scale-up, offered by BOKU University; Statistics for Preclinical Vaccine Research, offered by Biomedical Primate Research Centre; Statistics for Vaccine Clinical Trials, offered by Biomedical Primate Research Centre. Scholarships ara available for applicants from low- and middle-income countries. Applications must be submitted by 21 October 2024.
ODA Research Management Capacity Strengthening | Deadline for applications: 30 October 2024
The British Academy is inviting proposals which seek to embed and enhance working practices and systems within and between institutions to support equitable partnerships in international research through support for skills collaboration between research offices and research management functions. Awards of 18-24 months in duration and up to £50,000 are available. The deadline for submissions and UK institutional approval is 30 October 2024 (17.00 UK time).
More information »
25th ADVAC – Advanced course of vaccinology | Deadline for applications: 15 November 2024
ADVAC is a two-week training programme for decision-makers, including academia, industry, governmental and non-governmental agencies. The Course aims to facilitate critical decision-making in vaccinology by providing participants with a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of vaccinology (immunology, vaccine development, clinical trials, regulatory processes, vaccine-specific issues including new vaccines, vaccination strategies and policies, programme implementation, humanitarian emergencies, social, economic, political and ethical issues, financing, and communications). The 25th edition of ADVAC will take place from 5-16 May 2025 at Les Pensières Center for Global Health, Veyrier du Lac, France. Deadline for applications is on 15 November 2024.
More information »
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Third Annual Ethiopian Research Ethics Conference 2024 | Abstract submission deadline: 11 October 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 the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. Invited speakers include Ethiopian and international experts. The conference is accepting two types of presentation formats: oral and poster presentations. Submissions addressing research ethics issues or processes relevant to research implementation and governance in Ethiopia are invited. The deadline for abstract submission is 11 October 2024.
More information »
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EDCTP Communications thanks everyone who provided information for this Update. |
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