Ecraid hosts inaugural Science Meeting: Advancing Collaborative Research in Infectious Diseases
The first Ecraid Foundation Science Meeting brought together leading experts, researchers, and regulatory bodies for two days of presentations, insightful discussions, and collaborative exchanges in the field of infectious diseases.
The two-day symposium took place on 10 and 11 March in Cascais, Portugal, and covered a wide range of topics addressing global health challenges, and ongoing initiatives and developments in clinical research.
Ecraid CEO Marc Bonten welcomed attendees and emphasised Ecraid’s mission to establish a pan-European ‘warm-base’ academic clinical research network for infectious diseases. This network includes the abilities to:
- Directly enrol patients for generating evidence to support testing and development of new diagnostic, preventive and/or therapeutic strategies and therapies
- Conduct a broad range of rigorous clinical studies efficiently and rapidly
- Serve as a platform for a rapid research response in the face of serious
infectious disease outbreaks
Keynote Presentations
Experts from Ecraid’s coordinating committee and clinical research network shared insights, innovative approaches, and case studies on emerging infectious threats, antimicrobial resistance, and pandemic preparedness.
In his introductory remarks, WHO Chief Scientist Sir Jeremy Farrar, praised the scientific teams involved in continuing the work of COMBACTE and PREPARE. He warned that infections are resurging globally and underscored the critical need for sustained clinical research across all levels of care, from primary and tertiary care to hospitals and ICUs worldwide.
He highlighted the crucial role of clinical research in linking healthcare sectors, understanding diseases, and integrating microbiology, virology, bacteriology as well as critical data to improve patient outcomes worldwide.
“You can't just build a train track when you think you need it in a crisis. For me, that is the one biggest lesson from every epidemic and pandemic of the last 25 years, going back to Nipa in 1999 to Ebola, Mpox, Marburg, and of course, COVID. Clinical research needs to be inclusive, and it's got to be sustained all of the time in order to help patients, their families, and communities.”
- Sir Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation
Strengthening Clinical Research Infrastructures
The Science Meeting venue also hosted several important annual meetings, including the ECRAID-Prime General Assembly, ECRAID-Base General Assembly, and the Ecraid Clinical Liaison Council Meeting.
Ecraid Clinical Liaison Council Meeting
10 March 2025 - Ecraid's clinical liaisons from 18 countries gathered to connect and explore the latest Ecraid trials and developments, and discussed country-specific challenges and opportunities. During the breakout session, they engaged in meaningful discussions on collaboration and educational activities. These valuable insights will be further explored in future ECLC meetings.
ECRAID-Prime General Assembly
10 March 2025 - Following a warm welcome by Principle Investigator, Chris Butler, the annual in-person project meeting proceeded with work package presentations, celebrated key project milestones, and set strategic goals for the next two years.
ECRAID-Base General Assembly
11 March 2025 - The project consortium convened to review their ongoing activities and discuss longer-term sustainability strategies. Led by Principal Investigator Marc Bonten, the meeting discussed opportunities to optimise existing infrastructures, ongoing initiatives, and operational efficiency.
Our heartfelt appreciation to all our speakers, attendees and partners for an incredible experience at the first Ecraid Foundation Science Meeting.
Thank you all for making our first Science Meeting a success, and we hope to see you again next year!