The DRTB-HDT Annual Consortium Meeting brought together global collaborators, reflecting on achievements and outlining strategies for the upcoming year. Hosted by The Aurum Institute, the event concluded with a guided tour of the Aurum Tembisa Clinical Research Site (CRS), one of the active locations contributing to this pioneering study.
The DRTB-HDT project focuses on evaluating two host-directed therapies (HDTs)-metformin and CC-11050-as adjunct treatments for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB). These therapies aim to improve recovery of lung function, eradicate TB infection more rapidly, and enhance patient outcomes.
The study is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 grant for Research and Innovation and involves partnerships with leading organisations, including Aurum, The Research Center Borstel, The Phthisiopneumology Institute (IFP CD), The Georgia National Center of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NCTLD), The Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), The Wits Health Consortium, The Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumophthisiology (IPMN), LMU, Swiss TPH, and The University of Antwerp. Sites in South Africa, Mozambique, Romania, Moldova, and Georgia are conducting the trials.
The consortium meeting in Tembisa provided an opportunity to review the project’s milestones, including advancements in clinical, monitoring, and laboratory work packages. Key discussions focused on strategies for 2025, with objectives to expand participant enrolment, improve data dissemination, and promote integration of HDTs into global RR-TB treatment protocols.
The Aurum Tembisa CRS tour highlighted the cutting-edge facilities and the commitment of local teams to advancing TB research. This visit reinforced the consortium’s goal to deliver innovative solutions for TB care and treatment.
As the consortium looks to 2025, priorities include leveraging the interim results of the HDT trials, scaling data collection efforts, and creating global collaboration to end TB through innovative therapies.
For more information, visit DRTB-HDT.
