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EDCTP

International Cooperation

EDCTP – European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership


Presentation

Based in the Hague, Netherlands, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) was established in 2003 as an European response to the crisis provoked by the three main poverty-related diseases (HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria), which altogether constrain prospects of human and social development. EDCTP emanates from Article 185 of the Lisbon Treaty, and aims at promoting an integrated approach to clinical research towards prevention and treatment of those diseases, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, the worst affected region in the world.

Portuguese is one of its working languages, together with English and French.


The EDCTP and the current EDCTP-2

EDCTP took place between 2003 and 2013 and was extended until 2015, having obtained, as main outcomes:

  • the approval of 207 projects in the area of clinical trials, capacity development and network support in 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and with involvement of 351 institutions (2012) (see portfolio of projects);
  • the launch of 4 networks of excellence promoting South-South cooperation, which trained 400 African researchers;
  • the establishment of the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry and the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum.

The EDCTP-2 was approved by European co-decision on 6 May 2014, stretches from 2014 thru 2024, and is equally funded by H2020 and EDCTP participating states, i.e. 1.366 million euros altogether. Apart from HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, the grouping of infectious neglected diseases affecting Sub-Saharan Africa are included as well.

For more information about EDCTP-2, please check the following links:

  • EDCTP-2 goals
    • Main goal: Acceleration of the development of new or improved tools (drugs, microbicides, diagnostics and vaccines) against poverty-related diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected infectious diseases) in partnership with sub-Saharan Africa, by provision of a critical mass of resources to support clinical trials.
    • Other goals are: to coordinate the European national programmes to effectively work in synergy and in mutual partnership with sub-Saharan African stakeholders in conducting relevant clinical trials for the development of the tools to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and NIDs; to develop and strengthen the capacities in sub-Saharan Africa to ensure that the relevant clinical trials are conducted using best practice; to develop closer partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry and other third parties, such as private foundations, to more effectively deliver the objectives of the programme.
  • EDCTP-2 Activity Areas
    • Disease-specific priorities for clinical trials and health services/optimisation research, namely:
    • – Treatment (evaluation of novel drugs and drug combinations in advanced clinical stages)
    • – Diagnostics (evaluation of diagnostic products)
    • – Prevention (candidate vaccines testing)
    • – Implementation research
    • – capacity Building
    • – Networking of European and African Programmes
    • – Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation
  • EDCTP-2 calls
    • The EDCTP-2 calls for proposals are supported through three distinct types of Horizon 2020 'actions':
    • – Research & Innovation Actions (RIA) are multicentre clinical trials conducted by research consortia involving both European and African research teams, with integrated capacity development and networking elements.
    • – Coordination & Support Actions (CSA) support activities that strengthen the enabling environment for conducting clinical trials and clinical research, including ethical review and regulatory capacity..
    • – Training & Mobility Actions (TMA) are fellowships that focus on the career development of individual researchers or research team members.
    • Calls are timely announced.
    • You can check additional information about funding opportunities at EDCTP website.

EDCTP Governance

EDCTP has originally been constituted as a European grouping of economic interest. However, considering the need to increase representativeness of involved countries, namely African ones; to adjust liabilities of participating states; and enhance sustainability, the Association EDCTP has been established on 10 April 2014. The association is composed of the following bodies: General Assembly (supreme body), Board and Executive Secretariat, apart from a Strategic Advisory Committee.

For the time being, the following countries have joined the Association EDCTP (designated ‘participating states’): Angola, Austria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mali, Mozambique, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom and Zambia.

Regardless of this list of members, it should be noted that EDCTP-2 activities may be implemented in all Sub-Saharan Africa countries, and, in some calls, by any country affiliated with H2020.


Portugal's Participation

Portugal is a founding member of this partnership, and is being represented by FCT and AICIB (Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation) through, respectively, delegates Andreia Feijão and Hugo Soares. The Portuguese representation seeks, on the one hand, to build on the ongoing work by the Portuguese scientific community operating in the area of EDCTP. On the other hand, it aims at consolidating goals of scientific diplomacy through the reinforcement of cooperation with strategic countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (namely Portuguese-speaking ones), envisaging articulation with other national, European and African public and private organisations that promote health and development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

EDCTP goals are accomplished through manifold means. The major one is through the development of research projects and other activities that emanate from the calls for proposals launched by the EDCTP secretariat, mostly in linkage with other funders. However, they are also achieved through projects and activities implemented under the auspices of other funding schemes, including national calls.


Contacts

Andreia Feijão (FCT delegate)
andreia.feijao@fct.pt
Tel: (+351) 213 924 356

EDCTP website

https://www.edctp.org/


The EDCTP and EDCTP-2 initiatives received funding, respectively, from the sixth Framework Program for Research and Technological Development and the European Union Research and Innovation Program Horizon 2020.