CAPRISA HALT_19 study is awarded an EDCTP grant
The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has awarded a grant to fund the CAPRISA led Natural History and Laboratory Tests for COVID-19 in South Africa (HALT_COVID-19) study over 24 months.
The collaborative multidisciplinary study will partner with scientists from the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD) in Netherlands; Medical Department, Division of Infectious Diseases and Pneumology - Charité- Universitätsmedizin in Germany and Statens Serum Institut (SSI) in Denmark.
CAPRISA senior scientist and PI of HALT_19, Professor Ayesha Kharsany, explained that the research will “enhance and refine understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics, natural history and disease progression in a setting that has a high burden of HIV and TB.”
In addition, she said, the comprehensive laboratory validation testing studies “will supplement the gold standard RTPCR testing and provide options for rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. Combined, this study will help guide the South African response to the COVID-19 outbreak and understanding on viral transmission.”
Kharsany’s core team includes co-investigator Dr Aida Sivro (Scientist) and Ms Natasha Samsunder (Director of Laboratories at CAPRISA).
Photo: Professor Ayesha Kharsany (Study PI)