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Governance and funding

The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium was founded in July 2012 as the first international, non-profit, public-private partnership in schistosomiasis, supported by world leading experts in tropical parasitic infectious diseases. Partners contribute by providing in-kind expertise and resources; Merck also contributes with funding. In addition, the Consortium received grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EDCTP and the GHIT Fund.

The Consortium uses an innovative approach that engages new partners as needed, to ensure rapid development of a successful new pediatric treatment option. The model is built on a solid governance structure:

  • A Development Team of experienced leading scientists led by Merck designs, drives and implements the development program. Subteams are in place to tackle specific areas of responsibilities (CMC, Clinical, Regulatory Affairs).
  • An Access Team examines ways of providing access to the potential new treatment option in an affordable and sustainable manner. It consists of the ADOPT Program led by Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (TPH) and Unlimit Health, as well as the launch preparedness activities conducted by Merck (as planned Market Authorization Holder) in and for Africa, and to facilitate future availability in Brazil.
  • The Development and Access teams report to a Consortium Board, chaired by Merck, which is composed of high-level executives from various Consortium partners. The board meets on an annual basis to review program progress and to provide strategic guidance.
  • The Communication team consists of Lygature (Lead), Merck, Swiss TPH, Astellas, and Unlimit Health. The team is completed by leadership from the Development and Access teams. Other partners may provide ad-hoc support.
  • Further support comes from a scientific advisory panel of renowned international experts in schistosomiasis, pediatrics and other related disciplines. This dynamic panel meets during so-called ‘expert meetings’ to assess and review scientific aspects relevant to the project phase. The Consortium also greatly benefits from the expertise of non-governmental organizations, like the WHO. 

Funding

The Consortium is financially supported by Merck; in-kind contributions from the Consortium’s partners; and grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (2012), the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT) (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 & 2020), and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) (2018 & 2021), under its second program supported by the European Union.

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