Disease-oriented networks
Disease-oriented networks include TDR collaborations linking public health researchers, scientists, industrial partners and control experts on issues related to specific infectious or tropical disease control issues in developing countries.
Partnership for Social Sciences for Malaria Control (PSSMCplus)
This is an international alliance of individuals of diverse skills, expertise and institutions. Its purpose is to improve collaborative efforts to maximise the contribution of social science to research and programmatic development.
Initially the focus was malaria control but as of 2008, the PSSMC has expanded its mandate to include all neglected diseases of poverty (although its clearing house function will remain focused on malaria).
Regional Network for Asian Schistosomiasis and other Zoonotic Helminths (RNAS+)
This aims to strengthen communication, cooperation and coordination among scientists and control authorities concerned with schistosomiasis japonica at the regional level, including five member countries in Asia, namely:
- Cambodia
- China
- Indonesia
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Philippines
Major objectives are to:
- coordinate and secure support for research on surveillance and control of schistosomiasis transmission in humans and animals
- disseminate information about ongoing research and training activities
- develop standardized protocols for infection and disease surveillance.
As of 2007, RNAS+ has expanded its mandate to include all zoonotic helminthic infections, although schistosomiasis remains the primary focus.
Regional Network for Schistosomiasis in Africa (RNSA)
This network brings together researchers and control personnel working on schistosomiasis to share results and experiences. The aim of RNSA is to provide a platform to:
- improve the quality of schistosomiasis operational research relevant to effective control of schistosomiasis in Africa
- facilitate the transformation of research findings into practical application.
The network aspires to influence national and global decisions concerning schistosomiasis research and control in Africa.
Asian Collaborative Training Network for Malaria (ACTMalaria)
This is an inter-country training and communication network which includes National Malaria Control Programmes of:
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- China
- Indonesia
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Viet Nam
The network aims to:
- provide collaborative training for member countries to meet the needs of malaria control in Southeast Asia and Mekong Valley.
- improve communications among member countries on malaria problems affecting common borders.
Malaria Matters
Malaria Matters is a blog devoted to the subject of malaria, managed by Professor William Brieger, of the Health Systems Program, Department of International Health at Johns Hopkins University, USA.
An integrated network for drug discovery for infectious tropical diseases
TDR’s integrated network approach to drug discovery incorporates harmonization of the efforts of various partners through sharing of information and best practices in drug discovery. It also involves capacity and leadership development in disease endemic countries through a closely coordinated programme involving partners from industry and academia from both developed and developing countries.
In addition to partners from industry, public–private partnerships, academia, institutes of health and research consortia, the following networks are also involved:
- Compound screening network
- Drug target network
- Medicinal chemistry network
- Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics network.
For more information, please contact Dr Solomon Nwaka, nwakas@who.int.
Helminth Drug Initiative (HDI)
The Helminth Drug Initiative (HDI) is a focused initiative established to boost product research and development for schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The number of drugs available to treat these infections is incredibly limited. Coupled with the threat of impending drug resistance, there is a need to discover new compounds which can feed into the pipeline for drug development. HDI is an integral part of the innovative global drug discovery platform established by TDR.
For more information, please contact Dr Solomon Nwaka, nwakas@who.int.
Networks for drug development and evaluation for Chagas disease and dengue
Chagas disease BENEFIT (benznidazole evaluation for interrupting American trypanosomiasis) clinical network
The BENEFIT study will evaluate the effectiveness of benznidazole treatment in halting disease progression in patients with chronic infection.
Dengue clinical network (DENCO)
The dengue clinical network prospective clinical studies aim to (a) collect evidence for using levels of severity as revised dengue classification in day-to-day clinical practice, and (b) determine "warning signs" for severe dengue at an early stage of the disease.
The DENCO study has also been used for evaluating novel dengue tests that will help diagnosis and may eventually be used (a) to predict dengue severity and (b) as a secondary outcome measure for drug and vaccine trials.
TDR/IDRC Research Initiative - Eco-Bio-Social Research
Since 2003, TDR has been collaborating with the International Development Research Centre (Canada) on an innovative trans-disciplinary research concept called ‘Eco-Bio-Social Research on Dengue’.
The TDR/IDRC collaboration in ‘eco-bio-social’ research started with a small pilot programme in Brazil and Colombia in 2003-04. It is now being expanded into six countries of Asia. It is now pursuing a research perspective that moves beyond the medical/epidemiological control paradigm to a consideration of ecological, biological and social determinants of disease and ecosystem interventions that are embedded in social contexts.
For more information, please contact Dr Solomon Nwaka, sommerfeldj@who.int.
Partnerships and networks in TDR's research on neglected priority needs
- Innovative vector control interventions
- Accessible quality-assured diagnostics
- Evidence for treatment policy for HIV-infected TB patients
- Evidence for antimalarial policy and access
- Research to support the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis