High-level launch event for the second EDCTP programme Strengthening the partnership for fighting poverty-related diseases in Africa Proceedings 2 December 2014 Cape Town, South Africa Towards the second EDCTP programme The EDCTP high-level launch event for the EDCTP was created in 2003 as a European second EDCTP programme is the last meet- response to the global health crisis caused by ing in a series of high-level meetings planned the three main poverty-related diseases (PRDs) to contribute to the shaping of the strategy of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Under and funding approach of the second EDCTP its first programme EDCTP is a partnership programme. These proceedings document the between 16 European countries, the European third high-level meeting dedicated to establish- Union and sub-Saharan African countries. ing the second EDCTP programme. The first The second programme under the European meeting took place in Cape Town, South Africa research framework programme Horizon 2020 on 5 November 2012 and the second meeting is implemented by EDCTP as a partnership of 13 was in Dakar, Senegal, on 21 October 2013. European and 13 African countries that govern EDCTP as members of the EDCTP Association. The EDCTP stakeholder and high-level meetings The aim of the programme remains to acceler- were supported by the European Union through ate the development of new or improved drugs, a Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) grant vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics for for the Coordination and Support Action project HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as well as EDCTP-Plus (FP7-304786) as part of the prepa- neglected and emerging infectious diseases in rations for the second phase of the EDCTP collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry programme. This report reflects the views of the and like-minded product development partners authors. The European Union is not liable for and development agencies. any use that may be made of the information contained herein. Contents Acronyms and abbreviations – 2 1. Executive summary – 4 2. Background – 8 3. Opening session – 10 4. Keynote addresses – 13 Facing new challenges: building on the achievements of EDCTP-1 – 13 EDCTP2 and the global health momentum – 14 Supporting health through new science and technology – 15 4. Roundtable 1 – 18 Positioning EDCTP to address global and national health challenges – 18 5. Roundtable 2 – 22 From research to people: connecting the health delivery chain – 22 6. Roundtable 3 – 26 Socially responsible partnerships for long-term investments – 26 7. Closing session – 29 Laudation for Pascoal Mocumbi and announcement of The Pascoal Mocumbi Award – 29 Annex 1 Conference programme – 32 Annex 2 List of participants – 35 Acronyms and abbreviations AfroCAB African Community Advisory Board ANDI African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation ARV anti-retroviral (drug) AU African Union EC European Commission EFPIA European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations EIB European Investment Bank EU European Union EVIPNet Evidence-informed Policy Network FAPMA Federation of African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations FEAPM Federation of East African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Gates Foundation Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation GHIA Global Health Innovation Accelerator EDCTP European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership EDCTP1 first phase of the EDCTP programme (2003-2013) EDCTP2 second phase of the EDCTP programme (2014-2024) MDR multi-drug resistant MRC(UK) Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom MRC(SA) Medical Research Council of South Africa NEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s Development NID neglected infectious disease NoEs EDCTP’s Networks of Excellence PMPA Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa SADEC Southern African Development Community WHO World Health Organization WHO-AFRO World Health Organization, African Regional Office high-level launch event for the second edctp programme 2 3 1. Executive summary Four speakers addressed the meeting during been confined to a small number of African its opening session. Ruxandra Draghia- countries; she called for a geographical, rather Akli, Director, Health Research, European than a national, approach. In her view, six areas Commission (EC) said more African countries critical for the success of EDCTP2 would be to: were taking ownership of the programme, demonstrating a higher level of commit- 1. Consolidate the achievements of EDCTP1 ment. Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and 2. Reach parts of Africa not yet included Technology, South Africa said that while Africa 3. Foster a culture of innovation throughout had ‘ramped up’ its investment in research the bench-to-bedside chain much more remained to be done; also of con- 4. Ensure that NIDs receive adequate attention cern is Africa’s low expenditure on health care. 5. Ensure commitment from African govern- Three exciting aspects to the second EDCTP ments and the private sector programme (EDCTP2) were: the inclusion 6. Involve women scientists and the African of neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) and scientific diaspora. more trial phases, the continuation of capacity strengthening, and the increased commit- Peter Piot, Professor of International Health ment of African nations. Robert-Jan Smits, and Director of the London School of Hygiene European Commission (EC) Director-General & Tropical Medicine spoke of the ‘global health for Innovation and Research, said EDCTP1 momentum’ (health improvements, optimism had played a key role in accelerating progress in disease elimination and growing political towards the Millennium Development Goals support) and of ‘the globalisation of global on health. EDCTP2 retains the same priori- health’ – global health institutions are no longer ties – addressing health challenges through located exclusively in the North. He referred partnership and building Africa’s research to the challenges posed by both infectious and capacity. The increase in the size of the budget non-communicable diseases and by the ‘glo- will be crucial, as will the extension of the balisation of risks’. He outlined a number of programme’s remit. It is hoped that EDCTP ‘what if’ scenarios in which global health could will also receive more private sector invest- deteriorate. He advocated a move from projects ment. Georg Schütte, State Secretary, Federal to products, continued funding for capacity Ministry of Education and Research, Germany building, ‘innovation for impact’, and maintain- said progress could only be made against the ing the focus on partnerships and synergies. worldwide threat of infectious diseases through Innovation is needed not just in research but collaboration; EDCTP helps German research- in the ‘delivery of innovation’. Effective policy ers collaborate with others in Europe and making requires reliable data. EDCTP should Africa. think ‘beyond infectious disease organisations in looking for potential partners’. The first of three keynote addresses was given by Rose Leke, Professor Emeritus of Paul Stoffels, Worldwide Chairman of Janssen Immunology and Parasitology, and Chair of Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & the Board of the Cameroon National Medical Johnson described his work, as a young doctor, Research Institute, who summed up the during polio and Ebola fever epidemics. Such achievements of EDCTP1, saying that it had experiences have led him and others in the redefined North–South collaboration and pharmaceutical industry to focus their efforts shown South–South collaboration to be both on such diseases. He discussed his work at possible and sustainable. However, she was Janssen with regard to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, concerned that some of EDCTP’s activities had Ebola, polio, filariasis and helminthiases. high-level launch event for the second edctp programme 4 Collaboration with EDCTP is proving very recognition of the responsibilities that come helpful; he praised EDCTP’s role in capacity with ownership building, and its success in building strong • The intention to broaden support from partnerships. He stressed the need for urgency the private sector (including charitable in conducting research; innovation, collabora- foundations). tion and citizenship will also be crucial. Some representatives of African nations noted There followed three Roundtable sessions in that their governments had not, so far, devoted which speakers were asked to address specific many resources to medical research but that areas of interest. it was planned for this to change. However, the level of support already given by African Roundtable 1 focused on the positioning of nations is often underestimated. The outcomes EDCTP to address global and national health of EDCTP-supported research will be put to challenges. Presentations were heard from rep- good use by the African governments, which resentatives from four African countries, one will also take steps to see that EDCTP is pro- EU country, the World Health Organization moted internationally. (WHO), and one national medical research council. The achievements of EDCTP so far Representatives from the EU and from WHO were enthusiastically endorsed, particularly placed much value on what could be achieved with regard to: in global health through collaboration between their organisations and EDCTP (e.g. on regula- • The advances made in infectious disease tory issues, pharmacovigilance and improving research in Africa access to existing products). The benefits • The partnership approach and equality of EDCTP to national research institutions within