HIV affects millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa every year, creating serious health challenges, especially for mothers and children. Even with major advances in treatment, many still face delays in accessing care, difficulties adhering to therapy, and limited local research to guide better solutions.
Real progress on the front lines
EDCTP-funded CHAPAS research has helped transform paediatric HIV treatment over the past two decades. While CHAPAS-1 supported the development of the first first-line fixed-dose combination, Triomune Baby/Junior, the consortium has since advanced multiple first- and second-line options. Most recently, in July 2025, CHAPAS-4 results showed that newer antiretroviral combinations, particularly tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and dolutegravir (DTG), are more effective and better tolerated than older second-line regimens for children living with HIV. The work continues under Global Health EDCTP3, which is now funding the CHAPAS-5 trial to evaluate the next generation of paediatric HIV treatments.
Furthermore, the EDCTP2-funded AMBITION-cm trial was the largest study ever conducted on cryptococcal meningitis in people with HIV, which showed that a single high dose of liposomal amphotericin B is just as effective as the traditional week-long regimen. The simpler, safer approach is now recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and represents a major step forward in treating one of the most lethal HIV-related co-infections.
Driving the next breakthroughs
On this World AIDS Day, we spotlight two recent Global Health EDCTP3-funded projects that are developing innovative solutions to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations: SUPPORT and DOLPHIN-3.
SUPPORT: Building the next generation of African HIV researchers
An estimated 1.7 million children in sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV. Despite successful efforts to reduce mother-to-child transmission, around 160,000 new infections occur each year. Although HIV infections in children can be controlled, children are at increased risk of both opportunistic and endemic infections and of acquiring multidrug-resistant infections.
Yet research capacity in many sub-Saharan African countries remains insufficient to address these complex challenges. The Global Health EDCTP3-funded SUPPORT project strengthens health research systems and trains early- and mid-career African researchers to tackle paediatric infectious diseases effectively. The project targets Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Senegal, providing structured fellowships for 8 early-career and 5 mid-career researchers. Makerere University in Uganda serves as the scientific hub, fostering South-to-South collaboration.
‘All children under five living with HIV face significant health challenges, including a high risk of death after hospital discharge.’
Dr Cinta Moraleda, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Spain, coordinator of the SUPPORT project
‘To improve children’s survival and well-being, we need a strong network of researchers dedicated to generating evidence that can drive better care.’
Prof. Victor Musiime, Associate Professor at Makerere University, Uganda, scientific leader of the SUPPORT project
Through this initiative, more than a dozen African researchers are gaining the skills, networks, and experience needed to lead high-quality studies that will ultimately reduce mortality and improve outcomes for children living with HIV.
DOLPHIN-3: Supporting ART adherence for postpartum women
Maintaining daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) can be particularly challenging for women after childbirth, increasing the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission. The DOLPHIN-3 project is testing long-acting injectable ART with cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) during breastfeeding as a bridging strategy to help women maintain viral suppression.
Implemented in South Africa and Uganda, the project also explores safe transitions back to oral ART, maternal and infant pharmacokinetics, and practical strategies for integrating long-acting injectables into routine care.
‘Many women living with HIV find it hard to manage daily oral ART after childbirth, increasing the risk of HIV transmission to their babies. A long-acting injectable treatment could make it much easier for women to keep their HIV viral load under control, safeguarding both their own health and their babies’ well-being.’
Prof. Catherine Orrell, HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), South African Medical Research Council, South Africa; DOLPHIN-3 coordinator
The evidence generated by DOLPHIN-3 will inform sustainable interventions to improve adherence and health outcomes for mothers and infants, while building local research capacity for future maternal and child health studies.
Global Health EDCTP3: Advancing HIV research across Africa
SUPPORT and DOLPHIN-3 are part of a broader HIV research portfolio supported by Global Health EDCTP3, with an investment of €39 million to date across 11 HIV-related projects, representing 11% of its total project budget. More than half of this funding (53%) is dedicated to therapies. Prevention tools account for 19% of investments, while diagnostics and surveillance tools each represent 9%. Current projects predominantly target young adults, neonates, and infants.
Details
- Publication date
- 1 December 2025
- Author
- Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking