Finland intends to join EDCTP

26 November 2012

Finland has recently indicated that it will join EDCTP2, the second phase of the EDCTP programme. Finland currently has observer status in the EDCTP General Assembly. However, the country intends to join the partnership and is in the process of preparing full membership. This was decided after the meeting between current and prospective participating countries in Copenhagen, 15 May 2012.

The Copenhagen meeting was organised by EDCTP and the European Commission and hosted by the Statens Serum Institut with support from the Danish Presidency of the European Union. The aim of the meeting was to provide information on strategic opportunities and benefits offered by participation in the EDCTP2 programme and to provide a forum for discussion between current and prospective EDCTP partner countries.

The meeting was part of the ongoing dialogue to expand the European membership of EDCTP in preparation for the second phase of the programme. The aim of expanding EDCTP membership is to leverage European national research programmes relevant to poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases.

Scope of EDCTP2
The second EDCTP programme is expected to start in January 2014 as part of the European research framework programme Horizon 2020. Its scope is based on the current objectives and achievements and will be expanded to include: all clinical trial phases I-IV including health services optimisation research; neglected infectious diseases; closer collaboration with industry, like-minded product development partners and development agencies; and collaborative research with other developing countries outside sub-Saharan Africa when possible and desirable.The meeting is part of an ongoing dialogue in order to expand the European membership of EDCTP in preparation for the second phase of the programme. The aim of expanding EDCTP membership is to leverage European national research programmes relevant to poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases.

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