Launch of the second EDCTP programme against poverty-related diseases in Africa
A high-level event in Cape Town, South Africa, on 2 December 2014 will celebrate the launch of the second programme of the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP2). The launch event is jointly organised by the European Commission and EDCTP, under the auspices of the South African Department of Science and Technology. It will provide an opportunity to discuss the role and strategic vision of the second EDCTP programme as well as explore possibilities for synergies with other international initiatives.
The high-level event expects to welcome approximately 200 delegates, including African and European government representatives, major research funders, scientists, industry representatives and other experts in the field. The event will take place at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town. Participation is by invitation only.
EDCTP2
With funding of €1.4 billion from the European Union, the Participating States and third party, EDCTP2 will support all stages of clinical trials, from phase I to IV, on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected infectious diseases.
EDCTP2 will also continue to promote collaborative multicentre projects that combine clinical trials; capacity development in sub-Saharan countries; and closer collaboration with industry, like-minded organisations, and funding agencies for research and development cooperation.
Governance
The EDCTP Association, the dedicated implementation structure for the second programme, was established in April 2014. The new legal structure enables both European and sub-Saharan countries to become members of the EDCTP Association which reflects better EDCTP’s commitment to equal partnership built on trust, mutual benefit, and joint ownership and leadership.
Currently, 13 European countries and 9 African countries have already joined the Association in order to participate in EDCTP2.
Achievements
Since 2003, EDCTP has funded a total of 246 projects. Of these, 106 (43%) were ongoing at the end of 2013 and 140 projects were completed. The total funding granted to these 246 projects is € 212.12 million.
Among these projects are 100 clinical trials (34 on malaria, 30 on HIV/AIDS, 27 on tuberculosis, and 9 on HIV/TB co-infection) that involve more than 100,000 African research participants. These trials tested or are still testing new and improved treatments (60), vaccines (25), diagnostics (11), microbicides (3) and one trial investigates methods to enhance retention rates in trials. There have been over 450 publications from EDCTP-funded projects to date.
Categorised by disease, 54 projects concern HIV/AIDS research, 44 tuberculosis research and 41 malaria research. The remaining 107 projects were non-disease specific, including projects to strengthen ethical and regulatory framework for the conduct of clinical trials, and long-term training and career development of African researchers.
For more information please visit the event page.