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Unitaid at the Union World Conference

Unitaid-backed programs and research studies will feature prominently at the Union World Conference on Lung Health. Highlights include the results of two major clinical trials evaluating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment and prevention. This includes the results of the endTB clinical trial, which sought to find additional, all-oral, shorter treatment regimens for MDR-TB, and the TB-CHAMP […]

Unitaid-backed programs and research studies will feature prominently at the Union World Conference on Lung Health. Highlights include the results of two major clinical trials evaluating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment and prevention. This includes the results of the endTB clinical trial, which sought to find additional, all-oral, shorter treatment regimens for MDR-TB, and the TB-CHAMP trial, which led the first gold-standard evaluation into MDR-TB prevention for children.

Additional updates from Unitaid programs will share advances in TB diagnostics, preventive therapies, child medicines and more over the course of the conference. Join us for the following sessions.


Wednesday, 15 November

endTB clinical trial results: Innovation to guide practice in MDR/RR-TB treatment: efficacy and safety results of the endTB trial 10:15–11:45

From neglect to child-friendly options: Assisting countries implement improved TB treatment for children and adolescents 10:15–11:45

  • Challenges faced by children taking anti-TB medication | 10:20–10:34
  • Additional research in improving TB drug administration in children | 11:16–11:30

TB Preventive Therapy – how far are we? 16:45–18:15

Digital adherence technologies in TB care: key results and lessons from the Adherence Support Coalition to End TB (ASCENT) trial 18:30–20:00


Thursday, 16 November

Meet the French Team: opportunities to fund TB research and implementation programmes 8:00-9:00

Pharmacokinetics studies for better treatment of TB 8:30–10:00

  • Pharmacokinetic-toxicity analysis of long-term linezolid use in children with MDR-TB | 8:41–8:48
  • Palatability preferences in children; the swish-and-spit taste panel approach for formulation development | 9:30–9:37

The Union/CDC late-breaker session on TB (treatment and clinical trials) 10:15–11:45

  • Efficacy and safety of levofloxacin preventive therapy in child and adolescent household contacts of multidrug-resistant TB: the TB-CHAMP double-blind placebo-controlled, cluster randomized trial | 10:38–10:47

Guarantee equitable and universal access to innovations in the fight against TB: Roundtable discuss at the Expertise France booth in the exhibition hall 14:00–15:00

BENEFIT Kids Satellite Session: Better Evidence and Formulations to Improved Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment in Children 18:30–20:00

Community-led “test and treat” advocacy and community engagement for pandemics: lessons from India and Zimbabwe 16:00–16:45


Friday, 17 November  

Next-generation sequencing for TB detection 7:15–8:15

The impact of digital adherence technologies on TB care: Results from ASCENT and other studies 15:00–16:30

Researchers sharing with communities: Results from the endTB trial 18:00–18:45

Upgrading the TB diagnostics toolbox – what’s needed to ensure diagnosis for all? 17:00–17:45

Panelist Discussion on:  Recent advances in TB-drug resistance detection using Next Generation Sequencing 18:30-20:00


Saturday, 18 November 

Drug sensitive TB: Treatment and Care 8:30–10:00

  • The socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in households having children with rifampicin-resistant TB: Qualitative study from South Africa, India and Philippines | 9:29-9:38

TB stigma, discrimination and equity 13:15–14:45

  • Stigma in households of children with rifampicin-resistant TB in South Africa, India and the Philippines | 13:20–13:29

Global policy and evidence for the use of targeted next-generation sequencing for the detection of TB drug resistance 13:12–14:45

  • Presentation of the primary evidence on the diagnostic accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability of targeted next-generation sequencing, generated through Unitaid’s Seq&Treat project

In a special session held in advance of the Union Conference, Unitaid and the World Health Organization will convene national TB program representatives from more than 25 high-burden countries and technical partners to discuss progress in implementation, share available results to date, and identify key implementation bottlenecks to unlock the TB response and reach the most vulnerable with affordable, accessible solutions without delay.

The Union World Conference on Lung Health is the largest gathering of researchers, policymakers, global health advocates and others involved in advancing TB response and improving respiratory health for all. Follow all our news from the week here.