1. LEISHMANIASIS RESEARCH NETWORK (REDELEISH): EXPERIENCE IN LATIN AMERICA 6th World Congress on Leishmaniasis 16th - 20th May 2017 Toledo Spain
Joelle Rode1; Mady M. Barbeitas1; Marina Boni1; Byron Arana2
1Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative Regional Office Latin America.
2 Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland.

2. Major Role of Regional Disease Platforms
Defining patients’ needs and target product profile (TPP)
Strengthening local capacities
Conducting clinical trials (Phase II- IV studies)
Facilitating registration / accelerating implementation and access to new treatments
HAT
CHAGAS
LEISHMANIASIS

3. RedeLEISH: Objectives
Give support for the implementation of clinical trials for the evaluation of new therapeutic tools for leishmaniasis
Promote exchange of technical and scientific information between participants.
Facilitate consensus on research priorities and harmonization of clinical trial design.
Encourage debates on R&D challenges in leishmaniasis and strategies to ensure public health impact of the new treatment options developed.
Support the implementation of collaborative research projects to maximize existing resources and competencies.
Strengthen institutional capacity for clinical research in Latin America

4. RedeLEISH: Operation as a Network
Technical Committee:
6 representatives of partner institutions (PAHO; FIOCRUZ – MG/ BA; UnB; PECET; Hospital Cayetano Heredia
Coordination: DNDi
Annual meetings
1st: Rio de Janeiro, in 2014
2º: Medellín, Colombia in 2015
3º Rio de Janeiro in 2016
4º WL
WEBFORUM launched in 2015
Annual Newsletters

5. RedeLeish: Participants
118 participants from 55 institutions in 14 countries, including reference centres, experts, investigators, national control programs, PAHO/WHO, TDR, FIND.
Data until 10th May 2017

6. RedeLeish: Results
Promote exchange of technical and scientific information
Web forum: virtual tool for information sharing
Data until 10h May 2017

7. RedeLeish: Results
Facilitate consensus on research priorities and harmonization of clinical trial design.
In coordination with TDR-WHO, support the efforts on harmonization of criteria for the conduct of clinical trials in CL.
Conduct a systematic review to assess therapeutic response and relapse rates after 3 months follow-up in patients treated for CL.
In support of FIND, provide a platform for discussion of a Target Product Profile (TPP) for rapid diagnostic tests for CL.
Identification of research priority: mucosal leishmaniasis.

8. RedeLeish: Results
Support the implementation of collaborative research projects to maximize existing resources and competencies
Species identification study in Pará, Mato Grosso and Acre (Brazil).
Strengthen institutional capacity for clinical research
Mapping of capacity to conduct clinical trials in the region.
Introduction to GCP training in the sites of the species identification study.
Support the conduct of an international workshop on the standardization of a real time PCR assay for the quantification of parasite load for CL management in the Americas (PAHO/ FIOCRUZ/PECET).

9. RedeLeish: Results
Encourage debate on R&D challenges in leishmaniasis and strategies to ensure the public health impact of the new treatment options is developed.
Access workshop which aimed to identify the main bottlenecks in access to leishmaniasis treatments and to propose priorities to guide an access strategy
Supported a workshop of Social Movements and NGOs in Confronting Neglected Tropical Diseases, that led to the creation of the Brazilian Social Forum for Confronting Infectious and Neglected Diseases.

10. RedeLeish: Perspectives
Continue supporting RedeLeish to consolidate the network of leishmaniasis investigators and collaborators in Latin America:
Maintain and consolidate web forum, stimulating relevant discussions.
In coordination with TDR-WHO, continue efforts to expand the adoption of standardized methodologies for conducting CT on CL.
Elaborate and publish Annual Newsletters.
Organize 5th Annual Meeting.

11. RedeLeish: Perspectives
Promote and participate in the implementation of collaborative projects for diagnosis and treatment of CL, according to identified priorities.
Prepare and conduct a Phase III clinical trial thermotherapy + miltefosine (depending on Phase II results).
Plan and implement specific training in synergy with the Chagas Platform.
Contribute to DNDi global and regional access strategy for leishmaniasis.
Assess the feasibility of expansion, including CL researchers from the Old World.

12. Thank you
Photo patient Nairobi 2013