Joint Clinical Research Centre

Welcome to the JCRC Site

Contact Us

Plot 101 Upper Lubowa Estates

P O Box 10005, Kampala Uganda

Tel: +256 414 201147/8

Fax: +256 414 342632

e-mail: jcrc@jcrc.co.ug,

enquiries@jcrc.co.ug

Joint Clinical Research Centre

For Excellence in Medical Research, Training and HIV Care

Research is one of the core activities at JCRC. Through the years, JCRC has been in the leadership regarding research on HIV/AIDS in Africa. In the same lines, JCRC has carried out some of the ground-breaking HIV/AIDS trials on the African continent, including the very first African Antiretroviral drug trial - performed in 1992 demonstrating the lowest effective dose of zidovudine (AZT) in Ugandan subjects. AZT was being given in very high doses at the time and there were a lot of adverse effects from the drug. The results of this study contributed to lowering the dose of AZT to the current dosages. This study was followed by another ART study in 2001 in collaboration with National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate structured treatment interruptions of 5 days on and 2 days off treatment versus continuous treatment. The results showed equivalence between the two arms and this has supported an adolescent study with same strategy that is due to commence in the European PENTA network of paediatric studies. JCRC conducted the very first HIV preventive vaccine trial in Africa in 1999 which formed the basis for further research and product development of HIV vaccines on the continent. It was important then, as it is today that Africa participates in HIV vaccine development because it is the region most affected by the disease.

The successful conduct of the study in Uganda boosted confidence of international donors and collaborators in future vaccine trials in Africa and indeed Kenya, South Africa as well as other countries have undertaken new HIV vaccine trials thereafter. In Uganda, this paved way for other vaccine trials and there are currently several different international groups, including the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), Walter Reed and National Institute of Health, among others, that have conducted collaborative HIV vaccine trials using Ugandan Clade A and D constructs and other novel approaches.

The Centre pioneered the first HIV therapeutic vaccine trial in Africa in 2008 and conducted the immunogenicity studies for the first HIV perinatal vaccine study in Africa conducted in collaboration with Makerere University - Johns Hopkins University research collaboration.

JCRC has been involved in several concluded and ongoing landmark research trials that have shaped policies and guidelines in Africa and beyond. As a result, several peer-reviewed publications have emerged, and several grants have been awarded over the years, and accumulated expertise in carrying out locally and internationally respected research ranging from basic science, to operational, clinical research and capacity building projects. The key driver for HIV/AIDS research at JCRC is the need for evidence to guide new cost-effective measures and products used to fight the epidemic and its related conditions. JCRC also has Research Policy guidelines to manage the increased volume of divergent and multi-disciplinary research protocols.

JCRC Vision and Mission

JCRC Vision: A vibrant self-sustaining Centre of Excellence in Medical Research, Training and Healthcare Services.

JCRC Mission: To conduct Quality Medical Research and Training, provide equitable and sustainable HIV/AIDS care and other health care services in Uganda and other parts of Africa

However, there were constraints of poor infrastructure, lack of trained research and medical personnel, ethical considerations and socio political challenges. The Uganda experience demonstrated that these issues can be addressed and that a technologically sophisticated HIV vaccine trial can be conducted in Africa. Before then, there were questions as to whether developing countries could conduct quality and sophisticated research involving new and evolving technologies.