HIV, TB and malaria CT network for Africa

The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has announced a three-year 3.0-million euro ($3.8 million) grant for its  first funded regional network of excellence to conduct high-quality  clinical trials: the Central Africa Network on Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS  and Malaria for the conduct of clinical trials (CANTAM). The project  brings together four partners from Cameroon, two from The Congo, as  well as one each from Gabon, Tanzania and Germany.

The CANTAM is the first of what are intended to be four regional  networks in Africa of trial centers with the equipment and trained  staff to operate to international standards. Organizers argue that  demand for studies in sub-Saharan Africa will rise for treatments to  counter the selected diseases, raising concerns about local capacity  and expertise. The other regional networks, covering eastern, southern  and western Africa, are expected to become operational by the end of the  current year, the EDCTP said.