New EDCTP programme celebrated in Cape Town, South Africa on 2 December 2014
A high-level event in Cape Town, South Africa will mark the launch of the second programme of the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) on 2 December 2014. The event is jointly organised by the European Commission and EDCTP and the South African Department of Science and Technology will host the event. It will provide an opportunity to discuss the role and strategic vision of the second EDCTP programme (EDCTP2) as well as explore possibilities for synergies with other international initiatives.
Meeting programme
The meeting will offer a full day of reflection and discussion on overarching topics regarding the new programme. Opening addresses will be delivered by:
• Hon. Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science & Technology of South Africa
• Mr Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science
• Dr Georg Schütte, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany.
The keynote addresses will discuss the new challenges EDCTP will face it can build on the achievements of the first programme. Speakers will be:
• Emeritus Professor of Immunology and Parasitology Dr Rose Leke, Chair of the Board of the Cameroon National Medical Research Institute
• Professor of Global Health Dr Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Dr Paul Stoffels, Worldwide Chairman of Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
These presentations will be followed by three roundtable sessions to discuss:
• Positioning of EDCTP to address global and national health challenges
• Connecting the health delivery chain in order to get research results ‘from bench to bedside’
• Creating socially responsible partnerships for long-term investments in global health.
Panellists include African ministers, African and European high-level policymakers as well as other experts including representatives from industry, international public and private organisations and a patient organisation.
The high-level event will welcome approximately 250 delegates, including African and European government representatives, major research funders, scientists, industry representatives and other experts. It will take place at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town. On 3 December, there will be opportunities for participants to visit clinical research centres and sites in and around Cape Town.
“Once more, we see the dire consequences of ignoring the spread of infectious diseases in less developed countries. The Ebola outbreak throws into stark relief how essential it is to invest in medical and vaccine research: to effectively control and contain the spread of infectious diseases; and to prevent pandemics from taking hold. EDCTP2 will do just that with an increased investment of nearly €700 million from Horizon 2020.”
Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation
EDCTP2
With funding of €1.4 billion from the European Union, the participating states and third parties, EDCTP2 will support all stages of clinical trials, from phase I to IV, on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected infectious diseases. It 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.
“he birth of EDCTP2 is very timely. Neglected infectious diseases and implementation of Science Research are now covered. This presents a great opportunity for African countries to improve their health care delivery systems through good science. The prospects are indeed very bright.”
Prof. John Gyapong, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research Innovation and Development) University of Ghana and representative of the Republic of Ghana in the General Assembly of the EDCTP Association
Governance
EDCTP2 will be governed by the EDCTP Association, the implementation structure established in April 2014. This new legal structure enables countries from Europe as well as from sub-Saharan Africa to become members of the EDCTP governing body. The EDCTP Association reflects EDCTP’s commitment to equal partnership built on joint ownership and leadership. Currently, 13 European countries and 11 African countries have joined the Association in order to participate in EDCTP2.