PREV_PKDL

PREV_PKDL is funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP2) programme supported by the European Union.

The project aims at advancing the clinical development of ChAd63-KH vaccine for the prevention of post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL).

We will evaluate ChAd63-KH in a phase II clinical trial in clinically cured visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients, powered to detect a reduction in PKDL incidence. The results of these trials will be decisive in the future development of ChAd63-KH.

LEAP

Additionally, to better understand the disease as well as drug and vaccine responses, multidimensional, multiparameter phenotyping will be conducted on patient cohorts recruited across the countries of the Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP; Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda).

Launched in 2003 with the support of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), LEAP brings together scientists and institutions in East Africa to develop clinical trial capacity to bring new treatment options to leishmaniasis patients in this region.

A major aim of PREV_PKDL is to support LEAP in its ambitions by extending its research capacity in immunology and vaccine development. This will be achieved through a programme to strengthen immunology research capacity through the development of a flow cytometry network across LEAP. This capacity strengthening will help LEAP to develop as a major force for research and training on poverty-related neglected diseases in the East African region.