The Joint Mobile Emerging Disease Clinical Capability (JMEDICC) laboratory approach: Capabilities for high-consequence pathogen clinical research

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019 Dec 19;13(12):e0007787. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007787. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Following the 2013-2016 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, numerous groups advocated for the importance of executing clinical trials in outbreak settings. The difficulties associated with obtaining reliable data to support regulatory approval of investigational vaccines and therapeutics during that outbreak were a disappointment on a research and product development level, as well as on a humanitarian level. In response to lessons learned from the outbreak, the United States Department of Defense established a multi-institute project called the Joint Mobile Emerging Disease Intervention Clinical Capability (JMEDICC). JMEDICC's primary objective is to establish the technical capability in western Uganda to execute clinical trials during outbreaks of high-consequence pathogens such as the Ebola virus. A critical component of clinical trial execution is the establishment of laboratory operations. Technical, logistical, and political challenges complicate laboratory operations, and these challenges have been mitigated by JMEDICC to enable readiness for laboratory outbreak response operations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Laboratory Services / organization & administration*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods*
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Uganda
  • United States

Grants and funding

Funding of JMEDICC is through the United States Department of Defense (DoD), Joint Project Manager, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Medical (JPM CBRN Medical), Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, USAMRIID Project number 140103641, Naval Medical Research Center work unit number A1316, HJF contract numbers W911QY-19-9-0015 and N62645-14-2-0001. The funders participate in the strategic planning and mediate the development of the project goals in coordination with the collaborating execution partners.