CoMeCT
Project
|Published
CoMeCT (Coordination Mechanism for Cohorts and Trials) is an ambitious new EU-funded project for coordinating clinical and public health research on infectious diseases with epidemic potential. It will work in alignment with preparedness plans nationally and at EU level.
Summary
The project has been awarded 3 million euros under the new Horizon Health Program 2024-2027. CoMeCT was officially commenced on Dec 1st 2023 and will run over three years until December 2026.
The project is coordinated by NIPH
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) will coordinate this project, collaborating with six research institutions from other European countries, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Germany. The project will build on work of the Trial Coordination Board, established and operated by NIPH in 2020 during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CoMeCT will contribute to Europe’s preparedness plans for epidemics. The role as coordinator in this entity highlights Norway as a valuable knowledge partner overseeing and directing research in alliance with European Union Member States in crises as well as in interpandemic times.
Mandate
CoMeCT’s expansive mandate stems from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the vulnerabilities the pandemic exposed in health systems and in the generation of clinical evidence of medical interventions (therapeutics and vaccines). Europe’s fragmented research response to the COVID-19 pandemic showcase the importance of having readily available research networks that quickly can implement robust clinical research to improve patient care, inform public health measures, as well as support regulatory decisions. However, having multiple clinical trials and cohorts operating independently increases the risk of duplication and underpowered studies and requires a continued coordination mechanism. CoMeCT will provide such a mechanism.
Goal and measures
The overall goal of CoMeCT is to coordinate activities across Europe’s multinational clinical trials and cohort studies (CS) on infectious diseases with epidemic potential. The project will oversee and facilitate dialogue, share good practices and knowledge, promote collaboration and coordination across studies and providing updated information on initiatives and innovation in the field of infectious diseases and clinical research.
Additionally, CoMeCT will work closely with preparedness initiatives at the national and EU level, with Health and Research Directorates as well as HERA at the European Commission and with agencies such as the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This project will be led by Dr. Victoria Charlotte Simensen and Professor Nina Langeland.
CoMeCT (COordinating MEchanism for Cohorts and Trials) Grant Agreement number: 101136531.