Objective
The goal of the European Malaria Vaccine Development Association (EMVDA) integrated project is to systematically develop and test prototype malaria vaccines by comparative and continuous evaluation of candidate vaccines and move these as quickly as possible to clinical studies. Our emphasis will be on 'downstream' vaccine pre- clinical development and clinical trials. A product development management structure will be set up that will be responsible for the technical and regulatory management of the transition of candidate vaccines between the production groups and clinical testing groups. Exploiting the capabilities of 3 SMEs, 9 European malaria vaccine research centres, the European Malaria Vaccine Initiative (EMVI) and the African Malaria Network (AMANET), we aim to establish a scientific and technological structure supported by effective management. Stringent go/no-go criteria will be used to assess and compare competing antigens and delivery systems to focus resources on to the most credible vaccine candidates. Our internal Training Programme, which will be integrated with that of the existing Framework Programme 6 funded malaria-oriented Network of Excellence (BIOMALPAR) will promote interdisciplinary collaboration and support for our African partners, AMANET, particularly with their training programmes for young African scientists. Working closely with our African partners, standard operating procedures governing all in vitro and in vivo immuno-assays used by the consortium during vaccine development will be developed and distributed. The EMVDA project brings together Europe's leading malaria vaccine researchers and pan-Union initiatives in an unprecedented collaboration with vaccine SMEs and the African Malaria Network to drive the production and clinical development of an effective vaccine to protect those vulnerable to this disease and thus aid human development.'
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-6
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