Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme
The Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust (MLW) is a partnership between LSTM, University of Liverpool, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), and The Wellcome Trust. With over 25 years’ experience, MLW celebrates success in translational research, regional and global health priorities, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, pneumonia treatments, maternal/ child health, and vaccine policy.A recent MLW trial of typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), the first in Africa, showed efficacy of over 80%. This safe vaccine works well at preventing typhoid fever in African children, giving a highly immunogenic response in all age groups. MLW and the Ministry of Health lobbied the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) to fund TCV, and it is now a routine vaccination.
Through their AMBITION trial, MLW found a single high-dose of liposomal amphotericin B is a simpler, more cost-effective treatment for cryptococcal meningitis (CM) than the usual Amphotericin-B. The trial results changed treatment guidelines for cryptococcal meningitis in Malawi and worldwide. MLW also provided COVID-19 diagnostics and in-country sequencing capacity, throughout the pandemic. An oxygen plant for treatment of COVID-19 and respiratory patients is now available at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, supported by a grant from Wellcome.
Investing in facilities: CREATOR
The ambitious new Clinical Research Excellence and Training Open Resource (CREATOR) building at
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, is part of MLW’s plan to increase regional specialists, with locally focused clinical expertise. MLW aims to be the world’s best research institute in a low income country, whilst scaling up
postgraduate specialist training of doctors and scientists with a particular emphasis on clinical sciences. The CREATOR is a five Storey, 3,350 square meters research and training facility, that will almost double floor space at MLW.
Our Vision
To conduct high quality research to improve health and train the next generation of researchers. MLW has a vision of science driving health and wellbeing in Malawi. This is bold, ambitious, and challenging as Malawi is faced with challenges related to population density, climate change and environmental degradation, nutrition, education, and endemic diseases including HIV, TB, and malaria. MLW scientists have courage, commitment, energy, and belief – with these combined with excellent funding, facilities, and partnerships, we achieve great things.