UNITE4TB CAG attends first face-to-face project meeting

The UNITE4TB project is a new, 7-year long, public-private partnership that aims to improve the care and treatment of tuberculosis (TB). TB is currently one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. The project aims to speed up the development of new drug regimes (which medications you take and when) to treat the condition. 

ELF has formed a Community Advisory Group (CAG), to ensure that the views of the TB community are heard and considered throughout the project. The group comprises members from across the world with expertise and experience of working with TB communities. 

On 10-12 May 2022 the project held its first face-to-face annual meeting in Munich, Germany. Four members of the CAG attended and two gave a presentation to introduce the group and explain how they will contribute to the project. They also spoke of the importance of using appropriate language when referring to people with TB, for example not using words such as ‘sufferer’ and ‘patient’, to break down some of the stigma associated with the disease. The presentation was well-received by the other project members. Several arranged for the CAG to provide input into their part of the project.  

CAG member Blessi Kumar, CEO of The Global Coalition of TB Advocates, also took part in a panel discussion titled ‘From clinical trials to access’. She emphasised the need to work collaboratively with TB communities to ensure the project reaches those who will benefit the most. Blessi commented: “This project gives people affected by TB hope!” 

You can find out more about the UNITE4TB project: www.unite4tb.org

Read more about ELF’s role in the project: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/launch-of-unite4tb-partnership-marks-a-new-era-in-tuberculosis-treatment-development/

UNITE4TB receives funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. EFPIA/AP contribute to 50% of funding, whereas the contribution of DZIF and the LMU University Hospital Munich has been granted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. www.imi.europa.eu

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