The PREV_PKDL project aims at advancing the clinical development of ChAd63-KH vaccine for the prevention of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) / post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). We will evaluate ChAd63-KH in healthy Sudanese volunteers aged 12-17 years in a safety, immunogenicity and efficacy phase Ib/II clinical trial. The results of these trials will be decisive in the future development of ChAd63-KH.

Additionally, to better understand the disease as well as drug and vaccine responses, multidimensional, multiparameter phenotyping will be conducted on patient cohorts recruited across the countries of the Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP; Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda).

Launched in 2003 with the support of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), LEAP brings together scientists and institutions in East Africa to develop clinical trial capacity to bring new treatment options to Leishmaniasis patients in this region. A major aim of PREV_PKDL is to support LEAP in its ambitions, by extending its research capacity in immunology and vaccine development. This will be achieved through a program to strengthen immunology research capacity through the development of a flow cytometry network across LEAP. This capacity strengthening will help LEAP to develop as a major force for research and training on poverty-related neglected diseases in the East African Region.