This year the Scientific Open Meeting will  take its cue from the advancement in paediatric clinical research to address patients needs and will entail the following two thematic sessions:

 –          Challenges And Opportunities Of Conducting Clinical Trials In Paediatrics

–          Management Of Thalassaemia And Haemoglobinopathies: An Ongoing Challenge

The Open Meeting will be the occasion to raise the attention on the progresses achieved by the clinical research and the challenges to be faced in conducting clinical trials in paediatrics, also highlighting the importance of the international cooperation through European Networks and the global initiatives to create synergies and foster clinical research. The second session will be more focused on the new pathways and therapeutic strategies for the management of thalassaemia and haemoglobinopathies and will also be the occasion to talk about the goals of the DEEP project.

In particular, the Open Meeting will be the occasion to discuss these topics and challenges by different stakeholders points of views.

More details on the event and the final agenda are available here and through our social network channels (Facebook and Google+).

They have highlighted the progresses achieved by the clinical research in Albania so far and the importance of a more tight international collaboration within the European Networks to create synergies to spread excellence and attract European funding.

In particular, Donato Bonifazi explained that the DEEP-2 Safety/Efficacy Study represents the first paediatric clinical trial ever performed in Albania, currently enrolling patients. Beyond the administrative management of the study, the Italian Sponsor is extensively supporting the Albanian study team both in the start-up phase and in the trial progression, ensuring the performance of the trial in compliance to the ICH GCP. This represents a valid example of how to respond to European Commission (EC) Research policies promoting networking and public-private partnership, providing a new model for clinical research and disseminating competencies and technologies in non-European Countries.

The model proposed by DEEP focuses on therapeutic needs in paediatric and the integration of research and culture, adopting a global regulatory framework and patient-tailored transparent communication tools and has to become an example and the first milestone in developing the clinical research in Albania.

The videos of their interviews are available at the DEEP YouTube channel.

The interviews offer an interesting picture of what the clinical research in Albania has achieved so far and what its legacy will be, in particular in light of a more tight international collaboration within a European research Network, as the DEEP project is.

Massimo Gaiani, Italian ambassador to Albania, opened the interview pointing out the importance of developing strong ties and networks as well as fostering the international cooperation to tackle the competition both at EU and global level.

At this YouTube channel, you can download Massimo Gaiani interview.

Amal El Beshlawy, Professor of Paediatric Hematology at Cairo University (Egypt) and President of the Egyptian Thalassemia Association talked about the cooperation between the EU and the Mediterranean countries, emphasizing the great results achieved in iron chelation therapy using deferiprone.

At this YouTube channel, you can download Amal El Beshlawy interview.

Vitangelo Dattoli, General Director of University Hospital Polyclinic of Bari (Italy), highlighted the success of the collaborative efforts in medicine and research between the two University Hospital Centres: “Mother Teresa” (UHCT) and Polyclinic of Bari.

At this YouTube channel, you can download Vitangelo Dattoli interview.

Etleva Refatllari from University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” of Tirana (Albania) shared her experience in applying Good Laboratory Standards in a context characterized by the absence of any comprehensive guidance from regulatory and monitoring authorities.

At this YouTube channel, you can download Etleva Refatllari interview.

Gjeorgjina Kuli-Lito, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Medicine, University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” (UHCT) presented the critical issues in developing pediatric trials and the main points to be considered to ensure that a clinical trial could be successful.

At this YouTube channel, you can download Gjeorgjina Kuli-Lito interview.

Anila Godo, Professor of Paediatrics and Head of Onco-Haematology Service at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” (UHCT), talked about the solid partnership between Albania and the DEEP consortium, focusing on the positive impact that the project brought to the Albanian pediatric research and on the importance of unifying diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies at international level.

At this YouTube channel, you can download Anila Godo interview.