Dr. Chetan Chitnis, ICGEB, New DelhiRBM Partnership Board MeetingNovember 10, 2008

CONTEXT

1) Renewed efforts over the last several years to improve and intensify efforts against malaria

2) The goal of malaria eradication has been re-established

3) The general consensus that with currently available tools, eradication will not be possible

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 R&D 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

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 R&D

agenda that can be actionable by research and public

health agencies and sponsors.

Output will be a white paper(s) defining the R&D agenda that will be presented publicly

Operational Structure

Consultative Groups

Formed of leading scientists in specific research sectors:

1.Drugs2.Vaccines3.Vector control4.Modeling5.Monitoring and evaluation/surveillance6.Integration strategies7.Health systems/operational research/diagnostics

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?

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 R&D agenda

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

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