Charting research: opportunities for collaborative research on poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases

27 September 2012

Today, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) published a report focusing on research in poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases in the current EDCTP member states. It presents a summary overview of activities and programmes which are of relevance to the scope of the second phase of the EDCTP programme (EDCTP2). It highlights available capacities such as research infrastructure and expertise which will form the foundation for the second programme. The report is intended to be part of a ‘Charting research’ series reviewing past achievements and future opportunities for increased European integration and African partnership in the area of clinical research to address the burden of poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases.

Download report (PDF)

Scope of EDCTP2

The second EDCTP programme is expected to start in January 2014 as part of the European research framework programme Horizon 2020. It will build on the current objectives and achievements and will be expanded to include: all clinical trial phases I-IV including health services optimisation research; a number of Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs); 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.

In addition to the current focus on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, EDCTP2 is expected to support research related to a number of neglected infectious diseases (NIDs). The list of NIDs in EDCTP2 has not yet been defined; in the report the WHO-TDR list has been included for reference. Given the intention to support phase IV studies, epidemiological surveillance activities have been included. Other activities or initiatives of relevance to EDCTP such as multidisciplinary research including social sciences, ethics and capacity building through fellowships (including academic exchange schemes) have also been captured.

Sources
The information presented is based on:

  • The routine reporting by the EDCTP partner countries (14 EU Member States and 2 Associated Countries)
  • Supplementary data provided by national representatives to EDCTP
    Information relating to European partner country collaboration in current EDCTP funded projects
  • The G-Finder database for the period 2007-2011 in order to identify public and private bodies who currently commission and conduct research of relevance to the proposed scope of EDCTP2
  • The websites of national agencies and ministries in the areas of international cooperation, development, global health and clinical research. Where relevant and feasible, regional or federally funded activities were included. National funding for Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) was also noted
  • The websites of specialist centres, academic and research institutions in tropical medicine and related fields; information was extracted from project databases where publicly accessible
  • Publications on national programmes, including cross-cutting activities.

 

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