Central Africa clinical research Network – CANTAM2 venture

Objectives

CANTAM2 aims to:

1. Characterize the most prevalent co-infections and co-morbidities in different cohorts;
2. Conduct pharmacokinetics and hepatotoxicity studies of malaria, HIV, and TB drugs;
3. Continue training and monitoring of drug resistance to malaria, TB, and HIV therapies;
4. Develop new approaches for increased detection and optimal management of TB, TB/HIV co-infection, malaria, and other neglected infectious diseases;
5. Evaluate new diagnostics, drugs, host-directed therapies, and vaccines through targeted interventions;
6. Strengthen regional capacity for pharmacovigilance expertise, shared biobanks for biomarker research, immunological studies, and laboratory staffing for emerging infectious disease threats;
7. Increase the critical mass of researchers and trained laboratory personnel, improving the capacity of accredited laboratories to conduct GCP/GLP-level clinical trials;
8. Develop a flexible, ready-to-apply methodological framework for immediate implementation of clinical trials and studies during early phases of infectious disease outbreaks, incorporating regulatory and ethical considerations;
9. Consolidate regional training platforms through collaboration with the East, South, and West African Networks of Excellence supported by EDCTP; and
10. Promote cross-network collaborations between Francophone and Anglophone Africa to achieve a multiplier effect in research and capacity-building.