HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Units University of Cape Town CTU 2020 to 2027

University Of Cape Town, Rondebosch

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY The University of Cape Town Clinical Trials Unit (UCTCTU) is based at the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. The CTU’s primary goal is to provide a highly efficient, effective, and integrated Clinical Trials Unit that contributes to the global epidemic control of HIV and Tuberculosis. The UCTCTU has the capacity, capability and competence to deliver world standard clinical trials in HIV, tuberculosis, and STI treatment and prevention in a broad range of populations. One of the core advantages of the UCTCTU is its location in Southern Africa. Recent reports estimate that of the 36.9 million people living with HIV globally, 25.7 million are living in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, the sub- continent faces significant challenges in delivering treatments and methods of prevention but also stands to make a significant contribution to innovation and progress. In addition to its key location, the UCTCTU provides world-class scientific leadership, administrative support, and common infrastructure. This enables six well-established, diverse Clinical Research Sites to contribute cohesively to the research agenda of the four NIH funded networks. Each of the Clinical Research Sites are located in communities around Cape Town where the burden of HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases is high. Thus, the research agenda of the NIH is being fulfilled in communities where treatment and prevention is needed most. Based at the University of Cape Town, this CTU is accommodated and supported by an institution that is consistently ranked the best university in Africa, with a Health Science Faculty recently ranked in the Top 100 globally. All Clinical Research Sites have access to high-quality laboratories, with arguably the finest scientific expertise and best medical diagnostic and investigative resources in the country. The consortium of Clinical Research Sites are all components and affiliates of the University of Cape Town and thus share the same or similar management platforms, supporting and amplifying efficiencies and synergies.