From EDCTP2
to Global Health
EDCTP3
Initially set up in 2003, EDCTP has established itself as the focal point of cooperation between the EU and sub-Saharan Africa in research on the control of infectious diseases and the development of new interventions.
The consecutive EDCTP programmes (EDCTP1 and EDCTP2) have made major contributions to the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for the most important infectious diseases affecting sub-Saharan Africa and enhanced the capacity of countries in sub-Saharan Africa to carry out clinical research of the highest standard.
During its first programme (EDCTP1, 2003-2015), EDCTP operated as a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) incorporated in the Netherlands, with its membership restricted to 16 countries in the European Economic Area. The EDCTP1 programme supported 102 clinical trials on treatment drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics, focussing on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
EDCTP1 provided professional training to 514 African scientists and medical doctors and contributed to networking African researchers, which resulted in the establishment of four African Regional Networks of Excellence for clinical research.
Further information on the achievements of the first EDCTP programme can be found here.
The scope of the second EDCTP programme (EDCTP2, 2014 – 2024) is based on the objectives and achievements of EDCTP1, with an expansion to cover neglected infectious diseases, diarrhoeal diseases, lower respiratory tract infections, and emerging and re-emerging infections affecting sub-Saharan Africa (such as Ebola, yellow fever and COVID-19), in addition to HIV, TB, and malaria. EDCTP2 also supports all phases of clinical trials (I–IV) as well as medicinal product-focused implementation research.
Further information on the achievements of the second EDCTP programme can be found here.
Global Health EDCTP3 focuses on the major infectious disease threats facing sub-Saharan Africa, including HIV, TB, malaria, lower respiratory tract infections, diarrhoeal diseases, neglected, emerging and re-emerging infections, as well as antimicrobial resistance and the impact of the climate crisis on infectious diseases.
The Global Health EDCTP3 programme focuses on all stages of clinical evaluation but particularly later-stage (phase III and phase IV) studies and has a particular focus on vulnerable population groups, including children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, older persons, and people with co-morbidities (including non-communicable conditions).
The Global Health EDCTP3 programme also works to strengthen and build research capacities in sub-Saharan Africa.