The freeBILy consortium held a kick-off meeting in Tübingen, Germany from 3-4 May 2018. The meeting was attended by representatives of consortium partners from Madagascar, Gabon, Spain, Germany and The Netherlands as well as a representative from EDCTP.
After a welcome from Prof. Peter Kremsner, director of the Institute for Tropical Medicine of the Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, a general introduction was given by the Project Management Team from Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). The freeBILy project coordinator, Dr. Govert van Dam from the LUMC provided some background information on circulating antigens and an overview of the circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) and circulating anodic antigen (CAA) tests. The remaining part of the meeting consisted of each partner presenting details of their work packages including the tasks and deliverables they are responsible for. Project teams from both Madagascar and Gabon presented and discussed their study objectives, expected results as well as their plans for the coming years.
The kick-off meeting had many constructive and fruitful discussions and the first links between partners were established.. At the end of the kick-off meeting, a draft version of the logo and website were presented. Efficient communication between partners will be essential for the successful progress of the freeBILy project.
