To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and to make an impactful contribution to the discussion on the post-2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) need to support research and development (R&D). Innovative models – particularly through global partnerships – are required to advance the development of evidence-informed interventions against poverty-related infectious disease (PRDs) and their interactions with other morbidities. Failure to translate research findings into policy and practice prevents research from achieving maximum public health benefit. Despite substantial investment by public and private partners in the development of new diagnostics, vaccines and drugs for PRDs, these interventions may not reach their target populations or be used to their full potential. This is particularly the case in sub-Saharan Africa, where health systems are generally weak and not adequately prepared for the delivery and uptake of new or improved products and interventions. Therefore, concerted efforts by multiple stakeholders are needed to maximise the uptake of new or improved products and interventions to ensure that these innovations achieve their full potential in real-life clinical and community settings.
The
European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) is investing in the translation of research findings into policy and practice to increase their public health impact in sub-Saharan Africa. As a partnership between 18 African and 14 European countries, EDCTP aims to accelerate the development of new or improved medical interventions for the identification, treatment and prevention of PRDs. Launched in 2003 and renewed in 2014 and 2021, EDCTP has been the focal point of European Union (EU) support for global health research in Africa and is a visible sign of commitment to the SDGs. By May 2022, the second EDCTP programme (EDCTP2; 2014-2024) portfolio comprised 435 grants awarded through 60 calls for proposals, representing a total investment of EUR 814 million. Clinical trials supported by EDCTP2 involve international collaborations spanning >60 countries and 350 institutions in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, with broader global collaboration. Results from these clinical trials have generated pivotal evidence which has informed national and international policy and practice.
On 10 May 2022, the European Commission and the EDCTP Association launched the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking Annual Work Programme 2022, highlighting the importance of ensuring R&I collaboration, cooperation and funding in the area of infectious diseases and the commitment of the partners.
As part of the 8th edition of the Science Summit around the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77), this session aims to illustrate the value of global partnerships using EDCTP as a case study on advancing the production and usage of reliable research evidence in addressing unmet medical needs, especially amongst vulnerable populations in Africa. The objectives of the session will be to:
• Promote awareness about EDCTP and its role and contribution to attaining the SDGs
• Showcase examples of how EDCTP and its partners have contributed towards the generation of reliable data that informs the formulation and adoption of international guidelines as well as locally generated evidence-based policies within the national health research systems in sub-Saharan Africa
• Demonstrate how highly collaborative international research infrastructures work as a driver for international cooperation and data-driven decision making and how the new GH EDCTP3 partnership can continue this effort
• Discuss what enabling research, policy, regulatory and financial environments are needed to facilitate high-quality clinical research in Africa addressing local priorities with global alignment and policy relevance.
Chairs: - Catherine Hankins, Professor and Interim Chair, Dept. of Global & Public Health, School of Population & Global Health, McGill University, Montreal; Chairperson of the EDCTP Scientific Advisory Committee
- John Gyapong, University of Health and Allied Science in Ghana; Vice-chair of the EDCTP Scientific Advisory Committee
Programme:15:00-15:05
Welcome from the co-Chairs
15:05-15:15
Combatting the unmet medical challenges and policy-relevant demands attributed to PRDs in sub-Saharan Africa
Michael Makanga, EDCTP (Netherlands)15:15-15:25
Case study 1 – Simpler and safer treatment of cryptococcal meningitis (AMBITION-cm)
Joe Jarvis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM, United Kingdom)15:25-15:35
Case study 2 – Prevention of invasive Group B Streptococcus disease in young infants and generating vital data on COVID-19 infections in pregnant women and their offspring in sub-Saharan Africa (PREPARE & periCOVID-Africa)
Kirsty Le Doare, St. George’s Hospital Medical School (United Kingdom)15:35-15:45
Case study 3 – Strengthening the evidence for policy on the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine: assessment of safety and effectiveness using case-control studies embedded in the Malaria Vaccine Pilot Evaluation (MVPE-CC)
Kwaku Poku Asante, Kintampo Health Research Centre (Ghana)15:45-15:55
Case study 4 – Development of paediatric fixed-dose combination therapy for HIV-infected children in Africa (The CHAPAS trials)
Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences (Zimbabwe)15:55-16:05
Audience Q&A
16:05-16:40
Panel discussion
Working together to achieve more: Supporting research in Africa to facilitate high-quality clinical research generating valuable new evidence that can be translated into policy and practice
- Jimmy Volmink, Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
- Juliet Nabyonga-Orem, WHO Regional Office for Africa
- Godfrey Biemba, National Health Research Authority (NHRA, Zambia)
- Maria-Teresa Bejarano, Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (Sida, Sweden)
- Chimwemwe Chamdimba, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
- Elmar Nimmesgern, Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, and DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
16:40-16:50
Audience Q&A and discussion
16:50-17:00
Closing remarks
Leonardo Simão and Marcel Tanner, EDCTP High RepresentativesSpeakers:- Elmar Nimmesgern, Interim Executive Director of the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking and Policy Officer, DG RTD
- Godfrey Biemba, Director and CEO, National Health Research Authority (NHRA), Zambia
- Jimmy Volmink, Dean, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
- Joe Jarvis, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom
- Juliet Nabyonga-Orem, Team Leader Health Financing and Investment Program, WHO/AFRO
- Kirsty Le Doare, St George’s Hospital Medical School, United Kingdom
- Kwaku Poku Asante, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Ghana
- Leonardo Simão, EDCTP High Representative for Africa
- Marcel Tanner, EDCTP High Representative for Europe
- Maria-Teresa Bejarano, Senior Research Advisor, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
- Michael Makanga, Executive Director; EDCTP, Netherlands
- Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Zimbabwe
- Chimwemwe Chamdimba, Senior Policy Specialist, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
More information at: http://www.e