Published on 11 August 2008

EDCTP has a strategy for its calls and grants that focus on a product based approach. In order to realise this strategy EDCTP holds regularly stakeholder meetings. The objective of these meetings is to recommend priorities to EDCTP in terms of products in the pipeline and suitable sites in sub-Saharan Africa to conduct the trials.

The next stakeholder meeting will take place on 7 October 2008 in Paris, at the Institut Pasteur.

Participants
Participants will include funders and experts from EDCTP Member States as well as third parties, product developers, representatives of African partner institutions and experts in the field. Most of the participants will be identified by the Organising Committee, which consists of members of the EDCTP Secretariat, Partnership Board, Developing Countries Coordinating Committee and a representative of the country that hosts the meetings. The meeting will be led by an Independent Chairperson.

Background Information
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one-third of the world population is infected by the bacterium that causes Tuberculosis (TB). This burden is on the increase mainly due to the association of TB and HIV/AIDS. Moreover, the emergence of drug resistance is making the situation to become even more critical. Unfortunately the diagnosis and control of TB is greatly hampered by lack of sensitive, quick and affordable diagnostic tools. This affects not only the conduct of clinical trials, but also delivery of appropriate treatment and prevention.

EDCTP realises that a more effective TB diagnostic tool is an essential component for both clinical research and treatment. In the light of this, the partnership board has recommended that EDCTP should launch a call that would lead to development of simpler, cheaper and more accurate TB diagnostic tools.

EDCTP has budgeted 8 million Euros to support clinical trials in TB diagnosis. The studies will be funded from 2009 to 2011.

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