EU drug agency establishes task force to fast-track trials on Zika virus

The group comprising European experts is set to advice on any scientific and regulatory matters to conduct the research and development of medicines or vaccines against the mosquito-borne virus.

Establishment of the EMA task force comes after the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 1 February 2016 that the virus outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.

Medicines developers with any projects related to this area can contact EMA, which will approach companies already planning to work on investigational vaccines and offer scientific and regulatory advice.

EMA will advice these companies with regard to appropriate tests and studies that are needed in the development of their products to speed up the development of medicines to combat the virus.

In order to support this health crisis, the agency said it will review any new information immediately once it becomes available.

EMA will collaborate with the European Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and with other international partners such as WHO during a health emergency such as the Zika virus outbreak.

At present, WHO is mapping existing research and development for Zika virus to prioritize actions that could be taken to speed up medical products as well as approaches.

The organization was notified of cases of Zika virus infection in Costa Rica, Curaçao, Jamaica and Nicaragua between 27 and 30 January 2016.

Zika, which is spreading in South and Central America and the Caribbean, has been linked to severe birth defects in Brazil, with primary focus on pregnant women.

Meanwhile, the US President Barack Obama is seeking funds for over $1.8bn from Congress to fight the virus.

Image: WHO is mapping existing research and development for Zika virus. Photo: courtesy of EPA/D. Bockwoldt.