Leprosy Research Initiative

Exciting news!📢 American Leprosy Missions is launching the Phase 1b clinical trial for LepVax, the first vaccine developed specifically for leprosy. This trial aims to demonstrate the vaccine’s safety and its ability to generate an immune response in healthy participants within a leprosy-endemic area of Brazil. If confirmed, this response may help reduce nerve damage in leprosy patients, a promising prospect. As co-funder, we at Leprosy Research Initiative are thrilled to see this important step forward in vaccine testing and look forward to the results anticipated in 2027.   Read all about it here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dqrjr9mH

Setting the scene for the GPZL Leadership Team meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal 🌏🇳🇵   Today, the The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) Leadership Team meeting started with learning about the work by Nepali organisations of persons affected by leprosy. Among their inspiring work, they have filed a case to repeal discriminatory laws in Nepal, which will be discussed in the Supreme Court soon.   GPZL is a coalition bringing together global stakeholders working together towards zero transmission, zero disability and zero stigma or discrimination. In the meeting, the Leadership Team reflects on achievements, addresses challenges, strengthens collaboration and agrees on the plan for 2025.   Leprosy Research Initiative’s Director Linda Hummel and Coordinator Suzan Trienekens are participating in the meeting, contributing to GPZL’s work to align and accelerate leprosy research. We are committed to continue our support to the work of GPZL on our joint road to zero leprosy.

Jordan has become the first country to receive World Health Organization verification for eliminating leprosy! 👏   This achievement sets a global precedent, showcasing what can be accomplished through strong collaboration, dedication, strategic planning and political commitment.   Let’s celebrate this milestone while continuing our efforts towards a leprosy-free world! 🌍✊ Read more about Jordan’s breakthrough here: https://lnkd.in/ehb8i5MZ

🌟 Exciting news: The InfoNTD e-learning portal has officially launched at #NNN2024, creating quite the buzz!   🌍 1.7 billion people are affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), yet we are seeing a worrying decline in technical capacity to combat them. Investing in a skilled, knowledgeable workforce is key to tackling NTDs and driving progress toward their elimination.   🎓 That’s where the InfoNTD e-learning platform comes in, offering a flexible, blended-learning experience, combining the convenience of online learning with the strengths of traditional education. By building on existing content and fostering international collaboration, it empowers learners with the tools and knowledge they need—anytime, anywhere. Leprosy Research Initiative was excited to co-develop one of the platform’s first courses on scientific writing, which was a huge success among LRI-funded researchers!   🚀 Reach out to support@e-learning.infontd.org to request a demo, explore collaboration opportunities, or participate with colleagues in a blended course. You can also check their website at https://lnkd.in/eBvgs9BK.   #eLearningInfoNTD #eLearning #BeatNTDs

LRI SRC meets to review 2025 proposals and welcomes new members 📋📊🤝 As we speak, the LRI Scientific Review Committee (SRC) is together for an intense 13-hour (!) meeting to deliberate on new research proposals for projects starting in 2025 and review the progress of our 40 ongoing projects.   We’re also excited to welcome two new members to the Committee: Dr Kathryn Dupnik and Dr Erik Slim. A warm welcome to Leprosy Research Initiative and the SRC! We are deeply grateful to have such a knowledgeable, experienced and committed team on board to support our project selection and monitoring. Curious to learn more about our SRC? Meet all Committee here: https://lnkd.in/eveq8_-e

Reporting from the Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO Network (NNN) Conference in Kuala Lumpur 🌏📢   The 15th Annual NNN Conference, hosted in Malaysia, brings together NTD practitioners, government leaders, persons affected, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders from over 50 countries to collaborate towards sustainable progress on our shared goal to #beatNTDs.   Today, our Coordinator, Dr Suzan Trienekens shared insights on challenges and opportunities for meaningful involvement of persons affected in leprosy research, and how funders such as Leprosy Research Initiative can contribute. The discussions highlighted the importance of involving affected individuals from various perspectives, sparking interesting conversations and valuable input. We are excited to be a part of these discussions at #NNN2024 and to further support research projects in the process to integrate best practices.   Read more about our exploratory study among persons affected, experts on involvement and LRI-funded researchers here: https://lnkd.in/dHKxrcKh

📚 Reading List addition! 📚   Have you read the new paper on strategies for leprosy services in low-endemic settings? Reporting on the meetings organised by the ILEP Technical Commission, the publication expands on the recommendations from the recent World Health Organization Leprosy Elimination Framework.   Key strategies across five important pillars of leprosy control are highlighted: -       Prevention, Case detection, and Diagnostics -       Treatment and Case management -       Disability prevention and Rehabilitation (including mental health) -       Stigma reduction, Inclusion, and Human rights -       Surveillance and Data management As many countries are approaching, or have achieved, interruption of leprosy transmission, it's essential to focus on the next steps. Curious to learn more? Dive into the details here 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e4_3fF4j   LRI was pleased to contribute to this publication and continues to support leprosy research, also in low-endemic settings, such as the Maldives: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dtD648Th.

Time flies! Celebrating 1 year of Leprosy Research Initiative on LinkedIn!🎉   One year ago, on the occasion of our 10th anniversary, we launched the LRI LinkedIn channel to keep you informed about the latest updates in our work and the exciting projects we support. It's been a pleasure sharing impactful stories, significant moments, and milestones with all of you!   We are thrilled to have reached over 750 followers in just one year and look forward to growing our community even more. Thank you for being a part of this journey and for your engagement and continued support in helping us spread awareness about our mission!   Stay tuned for more updates, insights, and inspiring stories as we continue to make strides in the field of leprosy research. 🚀

Are you working on innovative research related to leprosy? Consider publishing your work in Leprosy Review 📝   Leprosy Review is a leading Open Access, peer-reviewed journal that covers all aspects of the field. The journal publishes original papers that explore the biomedical, and social dimensions of leprosy, as well as innovative approaches to leprosy control, with the aim of enhancing understanding and contributing to its effective management globally.   🌍 Why publish in Leprosy Review? - Open Access: Your work will be freely accessible to a global audience, maximising its impact. - Peer-reviewed: Benefit from rigorous review by leading experts in the field.   📝 Ready to submit? Check out the submission guidelines on how to prepare your manuscript for Leprosy Review here: https://lnkd.in/dx3fSU5

Have you caught up with our latest project updates and research impact? 🌍✨   If not, don't miss the recording of our recent online event, where we highlighted progress on a diverse selection of groundbreaking LRI-funded research projects aimed at understanding and controlling leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).   Here's a sneak peek into the studies presented:   - Mr Karthikeyan Govindasamy (Karthik) (The Leprosy Mission Trust India): Removable off-loading device versus total contact cast to promote healing of plantar ulcers in leprosy: multi-centric, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial - Dr Julien Aké (Effect Hope): People disabled by NTDs-centered strategy to improving access to physical and socio-economic rehabilitation services in Côte d’Ivoire - Dr Suraj Maharjan (International Nepal Fellowship): Thermographic assessment of autonomic innervation in leprosy - Dr Ngozi Murphy-Okpala (RedAid Nigeria): Participatory development of audio-delivered interventions and written material and assessment of their impact on the perception and knowledge of and attitudes towards leprosy: a cluster randomised trial in Nigeria - Dr David Blok (Erasmus MC) & Dr Raheema Abdul Raheem (The Maldives National University): Endgame strategy for leprosy in the Maldives - Mr ephrem mamo (NLR | until No Leprosy Remains): Post-exposure chemoprophylaxis for leprosy: comparing the effectiveness and feasibility of a skin camp to a health centre based intervention (PEP4LEP)   Watch the full recording now to stay informed and inspired.   https://lnkd.in/dVHcPsWX