Dr' Chetan Chitnis, ICGEB, New Delhi

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• Dr. Chetan Chitnis, ICGEB, New Delhi
• RBM Partnership Board Meeting
• November 10, 2008

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CONTEXT

• Renewed efforts over the last several years to
  improve and intensify efforts against malaria
• The goal of malaria eradication has been
  re-established
• The general consensus that with currently
  available tools, eradication will not be possible

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Challenge to the Scientific Research Community

• Challenge to the scientific community to identify
  the
• critical research areas needed to eradicate
  malaria by
• Evaluating currently available tools and
  strategies to improve and enhance their use
• Understanding the key knowledge gaps that RD
  will need to address
• Stimulating the development of new tools for
  improved control and to contribute to eradication
• Promoting consensus building and strengthening
  ties among malaria research areas

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Proposed Response

• The Malaria Eradication Research Agenda (MalERA)
  initiative will coordinate a consultative process
  to define the Research and Development agenda for
  malaria eradication.
• Overall Goal to develop a multi-disciplinary,
  global RD
• agenda that can be actionable by research and
  public
• health agencies and sponsors.
• Output will be a white paper(s) defining the RD
  agenda that will be presented publicly

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Operational Structure
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Consultative Groups

• Formed of leading scientists in specific research
  sectors
• Drugs
• Vaccines
• Vector control
• Modeling
• Monitoring and evaluation/surveillance
• Integration strategies
• Health systems/operational research/diagnostics

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Key Scientific Questions to be addressed in each
theme

• What are the critical knowledge gaps in malaria
  parasite biology, immunology, epidemiology,
  vector biology and interactions with the human
  host that are impediments to development of
  malaria eradication tools?
• What novel technological approaches can we
  consider to facilitate development of efficacious
  tools?
• What considerations are needed for Plasmodium
  species other than falciparum, eg. P. vivax?
• How should strategies from different sectors be
  combined to maximize effectiveness?

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Outputs

• Journal articles for specific topics
• Definition of next steps for the agenda setting
  process
• Zenith Week to consolidate the work and produce
  the white papers
• White paper(s) outlining the RD agenda

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Activity Update

• Participation in revision of Global Malaria
  Action Plan Research Section
• Collaboration with TropIKA to host the
  Stakeholders Online Forum
• Briefings with and support from key partners at
  RBM, WHO, TDR IVR
• Establishment of Secretariat at CRESIB Barcelona
• Regular Steering Committee Teleconferences
• Planning for first round of Consultative Meetings

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Meeting Schedule

• Launch Meeting November 20th 21st, Montreaux,
  Switzerland
• Vaccine Theme Meeting November 22nd 23rd,
  Montreaux, Switzerland
• Leadership Council Meeting December 5th,
  Washington DC and London
• Monitoring and Evaluation Meeting January 26th
  27th, Barcelona, Spain (coordinated with MERG
  meeting)
• Drugs Meeting January 2009
• Health Systems/Operational Research/Diagnostics
  Meeting end of February 2009