Penta’s 2025-2029 strategy is focused on developing scientific evidence to inform guidelines, policies and practice, accelerated through strategic partnerships, especially in countries where there is the greatest need. Penta advocates for equitable access to healthcare across all activities and strives to engage with affected and at risk communities to maximise impact.
Penta’s strategic plan for the next five years will focus on three main strategic pillars:
1.
Nurturing a vibrant and collaborative international research network
2.
Generating scientific evidence to inform guidelines and policies and to improve health outcomes for our priority research areas and populations
3.
Preparing to address (re)emerging infection threats
Strategic Pillar 1: Nurturing a vibrant and collaborative international research network
Our network community is one of our greatest strengths. The network is committed to collaboration to advance infectious diseases research in paediatrics and pregnancy. The cornerstone of the network is the Penta Foundation. The main aim for the next 5 years is to strengthen research capacity and expand collaborations, especially in Asia, Africa and the Americas, ensuring equitable contribution in research programmes by:
- Fostering active participation from the target regions through membership of Penta Working Groups.
- Expanding the training program to underrepresented regions.
- Inspiring and supporting future leaders in maternal and child health, across regions.
- Establishing and mobilising Special Interest Groups to incubate new research ideas and broaden participation of network members.
Strategic Pillar 2: Generating scientific evidence to inform guidelines and improve health outcomes for priority research areas and populations
Our research on prevention and treatment of infections in pregnant people, infants, children and adolescents prioritises the following four infections areas:
- HIV and viral hepatitis
- Serious bacterial and fungal infections
- Congenital and perinatal infections
- Respiratory infections
Each of these infections areas has its own Working Group, and these are complemented by four cross-cutting Working Groups, in Clinical Pharmacology, Basic Science, Education and Training, and Early Career Researchers.
The activity of the infections and cross-cutting Working Groups deliver Pillar 2 and additionally synergise and contribute to Pillars 1 and 3.
Overall, in the next 5 years, the aim is to expand the infection prevention and pregnancy research portfolios.
Additionally, each Working Group has priorities for 2025-2029. To find out what these are, visit the Working Groups page.
Strategic Pillar 3: Preparing to address (re)emerging infection threats
People across the globe are at risk from new and re-emerging infections, and environmental change and globalisation increase transmission. Pregnant people, infants, children and adolescents may be at higher risk of poorer health outcomes and inequities. The strategic focus will be on bringing together, harmonising and broadening existing research capacity to enable a rapid targeted and effective research response.
Specific aims will be:
- Maintaining a network ready to respond to (re)emerging infection threats
- Promoting master protocol approaches
- Engaging with the network to identify important preparedness questions relevant to the target populations
- Participating in European and international research preparedness initiatives to promote specific needs of the target populations
- Contributing to timely communication of scientific evidence to the public and policy makers.