Health Research Council grant fuels landmark study to transform treatment of pneumonia, influenza, and pandemic infections

A major grant from the Health Research Council (HRC) has been awarded to support the ground-breaking REMAP-CAP study, led in New Zealand by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ). This 5 million dollar funding over 5 years, is poised to bring about significant advancements in the treatment of pneumonia, influenza, and pandemic infections in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The REMAP-CAP (Randomised, Embedded, Multifactorial, Adaptive Platform for Community-Acquired Pneumonia) study, initiated in 2016, is a global research initiative aimed at identifying the most effective treatments for severe pneumonia and influenza, including pandemics. Utilising an adaptive platform design, the REMAP-CAP study focuses on optimising treatments for patients hospitalised with these infections with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes and reducing mortality rates worldwide.

Since its inception, REMAP-CAP has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, swiftly pivoting during the pandemic to evaluate treatments for COVID-19. The study was instrumental in highlighting effective treatments like corticosteroids and immune modulators while identifying ineffective or harmful ones.

Dr Colin McArthur, co-lead of the MRINZ Infectious Diseases programme and the REMAP-CAP study lead, states, “This grant is a testament to both the dedication of our research team and the HRC’s commitment to advancing healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are ready to embark on this next phase of REMAP-CAP, which holds great promise for improving outcomes from this common illness.”

One of the study's crucial focuses is addressing health disparities, particularly among Māori. “Our goal is not just to find effective treatments but also to ensure equitable outcomes for all patients hospitalised with pneumonia,” states Dr Tom Hills, MRINZ Infectious Diseases programme co-lead.

With this significant funding boost, REMAP-CAP will expand its scope to include less unwell patients hospitalised with pneumonia, influenza, or COVID-19. This expansion will facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of treatments, including optimal antibiotic therapy, influenza antivirals, and immune modulation strategies for severe influenza infection.

“This expansion marks a significant milestone in our commitment to enhancing patient care and addressing health disparities,” says Dr McArthur. “We are grateful, as always, for the support of the HRC and look forward to the impact our research will have on healthcare outcomes in New Zealand and beyond.”