Global Health (GH) is defined in a variety of ways, but within academia it encompasses interdisciplinary scholarship and practice, promotion of sustainable development, and realisation of social justice based on human rights and equity. GH works to address the challenges of health and wellbeing (for people and populations) in the context of globalisation and other health challenges in the 21st Century. This is a fast-expanding field of study, reflected in the growing number of institutions that teach GH. In Iran specifically, and the region there are currently no courses of study devoted to GH. This is a major gap in the health teaching portfolio of the region, particularly given the burden and complexity of health challenges that the region faces today. The overall goal of our project is to strengthen capacities of higher education institutes in Iran to address complex GH challenges specific to the West Asia and MENA region. Our specific objectives: 1. Establish postgraduate programme in Global Health with focus on specific needs in the Region of West Asia and based on blended learning in 3 higher education institutions (HEI) in Iran; 2. Establish short courses for professional development in Global Health for leaders and decisions -makers in different sectors as well as in public health in Iran; 3. Establish a Centre of Excellence for global health education and research in Iran; 4. Develop technological infrastructure and capacity to run distance learning courses; 5. Develop knowledge, competency and skills in innovative interdisciplinary pedagogical teaching approaches. These aims will contribute to the strengthening of Iran as a regional centre of excellence in teaching and research in GH. We will draw upon the experiences of associated partners in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tunisia to develop regionally appropriate teaching and training materials. The impact of our work is therefore likely to be felt beyond the borders of Iran itself.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a poverty related, neglected tropical disease, which is without an effective and cheap systemic treatment. The aim of TT4CL is to develop a new orally available drug for treatment of CL aimed towards registration with stringent regulatory authorities. Oleylphosphocholine (OlPC), regarded as a new drug by the FDA, is structurally related to the anti-leishmanial miltefosine. It is being developed as an immediate-release tablet for the treatment of CL and, currently, is the only systemically delivered drug specifically being developed for this indication. OlPC is active in vitro and in vivo against different CL-causing Leishmania parasite species and shows curative advantage over miltefosine in rodent models of leishmaniasis. The primary objective of this study is to complete the pre-clinical package that is essential for the subsequent clinical development of OlPC. The project will aim to optimize the synthesis and formulation of OlPC, including stability testing that is appropriate for tropical climates. It will include in vitro drug sensitivity analyses in parasites causing CL (Leishmania tropica and L. major) in the Islamic Republic of Iran, with our endemic-country partner. Comparative studies in animal models with existing anti-leishmanial compounds will establish efficacy advantages and determine pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships for OlPC. Phase 1 studies will confirm tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single doses and multiple dosing regimens. Results will be used to guide decisions by future partners on the clinical development of OlPC. This proposal directly addresses the priorities highlighted in this H2020 call. To our knowledge, we are the only consortium that is implementing this type of approach, and there is no other interest in the pharmaceutical sector to carry out a development programme for the oral treatment of CL.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Besides established risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, blood glucose or lipid levels, circulating proteomic as well as genetic markers allow further stratification of patients. While some of these markers can be measured routinely in low-threshold healthcare institutions, others require access to highly specialized and costly laboratory environment which usually can be found only within larger tertiary settings. The aim of this project is to advance and tailor a point-of-care (PoC) tool, which was recently developed within the framework of HORIZON 2020. Using cutting-edge lab-on-a-chip (LoC) and microfluidic technology, the tool will be further developed to measure qualified biomarkers and polymorphisms from finger prick blood, in order to help identify, classify and monitor cardiovascular patients at high risk. The clinical validation of these biomarkers and the PoC tool will then be performed in a prospective, randomised multinational trial which will include only existing and approved pharmaceuticals. Based on their specific pattern of qualified biomarkers, patients will be assigned either to standard pharmacological treatment, or tailored intensified treatment. Data derived from the clinical validation study will constitute a rich source for complex AI-powered computational analysis to explore potential predictors for primary and secondary outcome parameters. The trial will further provide the scientific foundation to support regulatory authorities in regard to approval of companion diagnostics, and recommendations for the prescription of drugs, respectively. Overall, this project aims to improve care and treatment efficacy in CVD patients through an advanced biomarker-driven PoC-based personalised medicine. To achieve these aims, a well-balanced consortium of six academic research partners and two SMEs has been brought together.

As a consequence of the ageing of the society, osteoporosis (literally “porous bone”) and its complications is becoming more and more prevalent, making the bone disease a health priority in many parts of the world. Currently osteoporosis is commonly known as a “silent killer” disease. Usually osteoporosis manifests itself in a drastic manner, i.e. through fracture of the osteoporotic bone in the affected individual. Until now little or no measures for prevention or early detection of this disease are taken, because no simple, yet sufficiently precise or sensitive tools for early detection of individuals at risk of osteoporosis are available. The overall objective of the currently proposed PoCOsteo project therefore is the development, clinical validation and preparation for commercialisation of a Point-of-Care tool for bone disease (a.o. osteoporisis) prevention, detection and treatment. To realize this objective a balanced consortium of 5 research partners and 3 SME’s has been brought together, and a well considered workplan devised. Two TRL3 technologies for individual proteomic and genomic electrochemical sensors, available from 2 consortium partners will form the base of the developments. The sensors will be further optimised, combined in a single microfluidic cartridge and integrated in a complete and independent point-of-care bone health assessment tool. The tool will consequently be clinically validated in 2 hospitals (Graz and Tehran), and a business plan for a commercial start-up company wil be prepared for the intended valorisation of the technical and medical activities. The aim is to reach a TRL6 / TRL7 for the complete tool and for the combined microfluidci cartridges. The project will be supported and advised by the IOF, the International Osteoporosis Foundation, which is the main global alliance of patient societies, research organizations, healthcare professionals and international companies working to promote bone, muscle and joint health.

The educational system in Iraq and Iran is facing many challenges such as lack of professional skills and competencies of teachers, weakness of methods and applications, inadequate access to technology, lack of sufficient knowledge and ability to exploit technology. PC universities have overcome these challenges.The aim of OPATEL consists in establishing and developing a center in IR&IQ unis to train staff and students by using an Online Platform for TEaching and learning to be as a hub for using best practices of ICT in education, as well as raising competencies of lecturers and teachers by enhancing learning processes of students.Wider Objectives:- Establishing a well-equipped center for E-Learning in partner unis- Transfer of EU-Experience in areas of ICT, skills development and merge new generations in this experience.- Training and following up with staff and students on how to develop, share learning objects, and collaborate their courses, presentations and exercises on online platforms.- Improving quality of teaching and learning by building the capacity of universities how to evaluate, develop and design e-courses.- Enhancing cooperation with EU partners through mutual visits to develop strategies how to move from teaching to learning and develop scalable sustainable solutions.The use of Online Platform will steer the education in the right direction. Training of staff to enhance and develop their abilities, solving the problems of ICT use in education and creating and publishing common methodology and documentation for lifelong learning, E-learning and training for IR&IQ in accordance with EU-Standards. 3 languages will be used in the project: Arabic, Persian and English. Many factors will be used for dissemination and success of OPATEL such as press and media; presenting progress using websites; participation of staff and students, participation of ministries of high educations and other HEIs.