Newsletter
July 2017
GloPID-R Reacts to Recent Ebola Virus Outbreak
Experience is a great teacher. The rapid response to the recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a good example of how preparation can change the trajectory of a virus’s effect on vulnerable populations. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) most recent Ebola Situation Report, the outbreak risk level is now under control due to the rapid deployment of response and treatment teams – a mere two months after the WHO received the first EVD report on May 11, 2017.
This epidemic occurred in a rural zone with a much lower number of susceptible individuals, which made controlling it easier. Playing just as an important role in managing this outbreak were the experiences gained and the research done from the prior EVD outbreak. This epidemic in DRC also highlights the fact that we should prepare the regulations and the logistical aspects of interventions, such as vaccinations, in the inter-epidemic period, giving us the capacity for rapid implementation.
The EVD outbreak in Western Africa was a decisive element on the road to the creation of GloPID-R. Due to its severity and surprising elements, the world’s leading research funding institutions realized the need to work together to fund the vital research necessary to enhance preparedness and response to major infectious disease outbreaks.
Since its inception, GloPID-R has mobilized around the Zika virus, including activities such as hosting the “Zika Virus Research Workshop” in Sao Paulo, Brazil in December 2016. Last May, GloPID-R members quickly assembled to assess the EVD outbreak in the DRC and the possible research needs. In this case, no further action was needed due to the work already going on in the field.
However, the world knows that a next major epidemic outbreak is inevitable. When that happens, GloPID-R will certainly be at the forefront to provide the global coordination needed in research to combat infectious diseases.
Kind Regards,
Yazdan Yazdanpanah
GloPID-R Vice Chair
GloPID-R activities
G20 Health Ministers Meeting
GloPID-R was recognized for its work in research and development (R&D) preparedness at the G20 Health Ministers Meeting in Berlin, Germany on May 19 – 20, 2017.
Read more
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is pleased to announce the nomination of its two new members, Professors Jodie McVernon and Vinh-Kim Nguyen. The addition of these members rounds out the SAB panel competencies bringing with them an expertise in epidemiology, modeling, and social sciences.
Read more
Data Sharing Working Group
In the coming months, the Data Sharing Working Group will be prioritizing work to align funder policies and conditions to mandate research data sharing in public health emergencies.
Read more
Clinical Trials Network Working Group (CTN WG)
Following the Zika research workshop in Sao Paulo in December 2016, during which different clinical trial networks funded by GloPID-R members were presented, some momentum was gained for promoting further collaboration between these networks. Just a few months later, the GloPID-R General Assembly of March 2017 approved the establishment of a working group on clinical trial networks (CTN WG).
Read more
Yellow Fever
The Yellow Fever Working Group recently met to discuss the latest fractional dosing data with presentations by Dr. Erin Staples, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Aitana Juan, MSF, on June 7, 2017.
Read more
NEW Webinars Available
Two new webinars on PREPARE’s work, which maps ethical, administrative, regulatory and logistical (EARL) barriers and solutions, and REACTing’s approach to adding social science into clinical trials are now available on the GloPID-R website.
Read more
GloPID-R member activities
European CommissionWorkshop on Vaccination: Seeking new partnerships for EU action on vaccination
The workshop was organized by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety, and explored how cooperation at EU level can increase vaccine coverage, address shortages and strengthen routine immunization programs.
Read more
Workshop on Universal Influenza Vaccines: Four years of European research on the development of universal influenza vaccines: what have we learned and how can we move forward?
In 2013, the European Commission funded five consortia (EDUFLUVAC, FLUNIVAC, FLUTCORE, UNISEC and UNIVAX) with total funding of €25.5 million. The aim of these consortia was to develop influenza vaccines that protect the general population from both seasonal and pandemic influenza.
Read more
Ministry of Health, Italy - EMERGE Consortium
Highly infectious diseases can spread rapidly across borders through travel or trade, and international coordination through networks like GloPID-R is essential to a prompt and efficient response by public health laboratories. Therefore, identifying resource allocation priorities for research and surveillance has been the focus of a large body of research in recent years.
Read more
Other Outbreak Preparedness News
World Bank Launches ‘Pandemic Bonds’ to strengthen outbreak preparedness
While not targeting R&D, World Bank’s recent release of ‘pandemic bonds’ is worth highlighting in this newsletter, since it shows the global momentum to enhance preparedness to outbreaks.
Read more
Funding Calls
The Antimicrobial Resistance Ring-Fenced Initiative with strategic leadership from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) and the Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
- Topic: Catalyst Grant: Global Governance of Antimicrobial Resistance and Related Infectious Disease Threats
- Budget: $600,000, enough to fund approximately 6 grants of up to $100,000 each for up to 1 year
- Deadline: October 17, 2017
Read more
European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
- Topic: Treatment Innovations for Poverty-Related Diseases
- Budget: € 30 M
- Deadline: September 5, 2017, 17:00
- Topic: Strategic actions supporting large-scale clinical trials
- Budget: €43 M
- Deadline: September 5, 2017, 17:00
- Topic: Clinical trials to reduce health inequities in pregnant women, newborns and children
- Budget: €38.23 M
- Deadline: October 13, 2017, 17:00
- Topic: Targeting control and elimination of NIDs through clinical trials
- Budget: €18.8 M
- Deadline: October 31, 2017, 17:00
- Topic: Targeting control and elimination of NIDs through product-focused implementation research
- Budget: €11.2 M
- Deadline: November 2, 2017, 17:00
Read more on EDCTP Funding Calls
Upcoming Events
2nd International Meeting on Arboviruses and their Vectors
IMAV 2017 – Microbiology Society
7-8 September 2017
Glasgow (UK)
American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH) 66th Annual Meeting
5-9 November 2017
Baltimore (USA)
