Expanding the malaria research scope in Mali

Researcher from low and middle – income countries (LMIC) involved in clinical research activities have little opportunities to acquire experience and develop skills for conducting clinical trials outside an academic or public- sector setting. The Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC) has developed an integrated approach to the study of malaria using clinical and molecular biology as a basis of addressing field epidemiological and entomological problems at the community level. The MRTC has conducted numerous, longitudinal cohort studies, case-control studies, drug efficacy trials and malaria vaccine trials. However, The centre has little experience in early stage drug discovery and diagnostic tools development. Consequently, there are scarce well trained researcher in this area. To address this gap, The European and developing countries clinical trials partnership and The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) have undertaken the development of human capacities through fellowship will lead to enhance and sustain research capacity in Sub-saharan Africa(SSA) on diagnostics, drug and vaccine for poverty- related diseases by supporting career development and retention of researchers in SSA.

 This fellowship will be undertaken for the development of human resources and should promote high quality research and development in SSA to tackle poverty related diseases. This programme has two phases of work. The first phase is a training plan that will take 12 months. Fellows will be placed in European-based host organisations (pharmaceutical companies, Clinical Research Organisations, clinical or academic affiliated research organisations and PDPs) to train and develop specific clinical research skills of relevance to PRDs. The second phase is a re-integration plan of 6 months. Fellow will be at home organization and will transfer knowledge through workshop training, seminar, round table and teaching of peers, colleagues and students.

EDCTP Grants

Epidemiology
Health Systems & Op. Research
Vulnerable Populations

Feb 2020 — Oct 2021

$110,504

Mali