Last Updated: 28/05/2026
Central Africa Regional Network on Clinical Research (CANTAM): Strengthening Clinical Infectious Diseases Research in Central Africa
Objectives
The objectives of the CANTAM are to:
- Set-up and conduct epidemiological studies on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, neglegted tropical diseases (NTDs) and COVID-19 to collate baseline data for future clinical trials;
- Design and implement training activities necessary to conduct clinical studies on traditional medicines for parasite and viral infections;
- Prepare the sites for future Phase I to IV clinical studies, by specifically strengthening pharmacovigilance including regulatory authorities and national or institutional ethics committees;
- Developing adapted training platform and mentorship programmes.
Congolese Foundation for Medical Research (FCRM), Dem. Rep. of Congo
University of Yaounde 1 (UY1), Cameroon
University of Buea (UB), Cameroon
University of Kinshasa, Dem. Rep. of Congo
University College London (UCL), United Kingdom
Tübingen University, Germany
Medical Research Center Lambarene (CERMEL), Gabon
Centre for Research on Filariasis and Other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Cameroon
Amsterdam University Medical Centres (Amsterdam UMC) – Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
International Centre for Medical Research (CIRMF), Gabon
University of the Health Sciences (USS), Gabon
HerpeZ Limited, Zambia
The clinical research network of excellence for Central Africa (CANTAM) was established in 2008 with the aim of strengthening the individual, institutional and infrastructural capacities in three Central African countries (Cameroon, Gabon and Republic of Congo) along with Germany to conduct clinical trials on tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS and malaria.
The basis was to conduct epidemiological studies, and train staff in good clinical and laboratory practices, whilst strengthening the clinical trials infrastructure. Over the years, it appeared necessary to increase partners as specific skills were lacking. With the addition of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the CANTAM2 network was formed in 2016. Harmonisation of procedures across sites enabled CANTAM2 to support a multicentre phase IV trial of a fixed-dose artemisinin combination therapy for malaria, which enrolled more than 8,500 patients across five sites. New clinical trial monitors have been trained in Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Gabon and the DRC, and a network-wide data-sharing plan has been developed.
CANTAM3 is building on this foundation to strengthen the capacity for clinical research in Central Africa. It will continue to provide an infrastructure for training of young researchers. It will also prepare sites for phase I–IV clinical studies, particularly by continuing to strengthen pharmacovigilance capacity and mechanisms of regulatory and ethical oversight, working in partnership with bodies such as the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF), the Pan-African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN) and the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) initiative.
Five indicators of success have been identified for CANTAM3: 8 new female scientists established, accreditation of new laboratories, increase in the number of clinical trials, mapping of disease incidences in all CANTAM countries and established pharmacovigilance activities in the region. Given the fragile health systems in Central Africa, new and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic can paralyse health systems and existing structures. In CANTAM3 an innovative governance structure is proposed that will leverage added responsibilities and ownership to each partner country within the CANTAM network, implementing internal incentives for the best contributors. As a result, CANTAM3 will be able to make a significant contribution in the field of malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, NTDs as well as other viral diseases, such as COVID-19.
· Article: Polyparasitic Infections: Associated Factors and Effect on the Haemoglobin Level of Children Living in Lambaréné Remote and Surrounding Rural Areas from Gabon—A Cross-Sectional Study - [Trop Med Infect Dis, 2025]· Article: Community surveys of the prevalence, distribution, and coinfection of helminth and protozoan infections in semiurban and rural areas of Gabon, Central Africa - [PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2025]· Article: Entomological indicators of Plasmodium species transmission in Goma Tsé-Tsé and Madibou districts, in the Republic of Congo - [Malar J, 2024]· Article: Plasmodium falciparum msp-1 and msp-2 genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection in isolates from Congolese patients in the Republic of Congo - [Parasitol Res, 2023]· Article: Comparative study of Plasmodium falciparum msp-1 and msp-2 Genetic Diversity in Isolates from Rural and Urban Areas in the South of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo - [Pathogens, 2023]
Jul 2021 — Jun 2025
$4.89M
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