Our role
The role of REACTing : coordinating French research response
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, REACTing is playing a key role in the coordination and information sharing regarding the outbreak in France by :
- Closely monitoring the situation and encouraging data sharing on COVID19 outbreak REACTing ensures a permanent epidemiological and scientific literature review and is committed to promoting the sharing of information between French partners involved in the preparation and response to this epidemic. To this end, REACTing leads regular meetings and promotes the real-time exchange of scientific information to better understand the epidemic and the research issues that arise. In addition, REACTing provide comprehensive information for decision-makers, the media and the public including by responding to media requests.
- Promoting good practices and standardization of data collection in clinical research In close collaboration with the International Severe Acute Respiratory & Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC), the REACTing Methodology Centre carried out the French translation of the electronic case report form (eCRF), in order to harmonize data collection for an observational study. The recommendations made by REACTing on the types of samples to be taken, the frequency of sampling and the temperature at which the specimens should be kept are the sampling strategy used since the end of January in France.
Two cohorts are now set up in France, thanks to the methodological support of REACTing :- The cohort of infected patients, promoted by Inserm
- The cohort of contact cases
REACTing notably coordinates requests for access to the cohort (ancillary studies) of infected patients, based on the recommendations made by the Scientific Council on the prioritisation of the various studies proposed. Finally, REACTing also supports the implementation of the national randomized clinical trial (« Discovery »). Built using the WHO master protocol, and following international standards, it can be extended by serving as a model for other countries. - Coordinating and federating the French research actors on COVID19 REACTing strives to connect research actors, including those involved in clinical research (increased link with French hospitals) who want to join ongoing national studies. In addition, REACTing is in close relation with drug companies (and with the Alliance for Research and Innovation in Health Industries) on therapeutic approaches, diagnostic tools, and possible collaborations with researchers.
REACTing is particularly involved in the monitoring of therapeutic and vaccinal approaches and in the identification of research priorities and funding opportunities - Accelerating French research on COVID-19 by funding 20 immediate impact projectsThe COVID-19 Scientific Council of REACTing evaluated the projects submitted for seed funding. Of the 33 projects submitted, 20 were selected and funded by REACTing.
- Supporting capacity building in 5 African countries by supporting hospital Preparedness to COVID19 REACTing, in collaboration with Burkina-Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Mali and Senegal, is building a project to strengthen the surveillance, early warning, diagnosis and management of cases of CoV-2 SARS infection in these 5 countries. This project (« APHRO-CoV »), in collaboration with the APHP, the University of Bordeaux and the PACCI site in Côte d’Ivoire, aims to improve health monitoring and ensure adequate and rapid management by hospital services of suspected cases of infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and will allow a decentralization of diagnosis as close as possible to the suspected cases.
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