MRC honoured

The MRC was recently accorded one of the greatest honours in its 35-year history - it was selected to host the EDCTP on the African continent.

On 3 March 2004, the Assembly of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) unanimously selected the MRC to host its African Office. The EDCTP secretariat will have two offices, one in The Hague (The Netherlands), hosted by the Nederlands Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO) and one in Cape Town.

The four members of the EDCTP delegation listen intently during the presentations

The EDCTP aims to accelerate the development of new clinical interventions to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, joining European programmes and African partners, and the relevant capacities in developing countries for the evaluation of such interventions. The African Office, designated ESCT (EDCTP Secretariat Cape Town), will represent the EDCTP in Africa and provide executive, administrative and promotional support for the EDCTP programme.

On the occasion of choosing the host country, Dr P. Mocumbi, High Representative of the EDCTP and ex-prime minister of Mozambique, said that the choice of the host institution was based on a careful selection process.

"In a competitive bidding to host the African Office of the EDCTP Secretariat, the selection committee received and carefully evaluated numerous highly qualified applications. The MRC was unanimously selected," Dr. Mocumbi said.

Acting President of the MRC, Prof. Emeritus William Pick, said the MRC is pleased with the outcome of the bidding process. " It is a great honour for South Africa and the MRC. We are particularly pleased as the decision of the Assembly reinforces the MRC's position as a leader in health research.''

The bid process started in 2003, when the EDCTP invited letters of intent from African institutions to host its African Office of the Secretariat. The MRC responded to this call and was informed of its shortlisting in January 2004. The EDCTP received eighteen applications.

On 11 February 2004, an EDCTP selection panel did a site evaluation of the MRC. Dr Niresh Bhagwandin, the MRC's head of business development, used this occasion to highlight the MRC's impressive track record and expertise in key areas in which the EDCTP required support and services. " In addition, presentations from the MRC's key service providers in banking, telecommunications, medicines regulation as well as our ethics review process ensured a successful event," Dr Bhagwandin said.

Dr Piero Olliaro, Executive Director of the EDCTP, said that in order to secure objectivity, the selection committee was composed of representatives from the governing bodies of the EDCTP and the European Commission.

"Applications were scored and ranked according to pre-set criteria, such as infrastructure and support in administrative functions, experience and quality of services in management of health research programmes and budget management/controlling mechanisms. Three applications were short-listed for site assessment. After a site visit the ranking was finalized and a recommendation made for a final decision on 3 March. In our discussions we made it clear that the hosting institution will provide the necessary structure and services for the office to function, but it will be exactly like any other institution when it comes to competing for funding and collaboration," explained Dr Olliaro.

The MRC will provide the following services:

• Operational and administrative support for the EDCTP Secretariat;
• Facilitate the capacity building and strengthening activities of the EDCTP;
• Participate in the implementation of the EDCTP strategies by providing information access, and sharing and building research networks, including the establishment of elibrary facilities;
• Ensure effective publicity and promotion of EDCTP's aims and achievements.