09:00-17:00: J2J Programme Room 304

(Closed meeting)

The National Press Foundation and The Union are offering the 4th annual Journalist-to-Journalist (J2J) training on lung health issues at the World Conference.The training runs from Monday-Wednesday, 12-14 November and then the journalists participate in the conference. The training is designed for working journalists who want to increase their knowledge and skills at developing stories on lung health and related issues, such as the social, political and economic impact of lung disease. Sessions also cover the latest research, solutions and innovations that are in the pipeline.

Coordinators: Bob Meyers, Linda Streitfeld, National Press Foundation (USA), Alice Boatwright, The Union (France)

13:00-17:00:  Room:  Conference Hall 1

(Meeting open to all delegates)

In this meeting we will review the activities of the New Diagnostics Working Group over the past year. The session will also provide an overview of novel technologies and their potential for the development of new TB diagnostics.

Coordinator:  Alessandra Varga, FIND (Switzerland), Secretariat New Diagnostics Working Group
Co-Chairs: Philippe Jacon, FIND (Switzerland) and Daniela Cirillo, San Raffaele Scientific Institute( Italy), Co-Chairs New Diagnostics Working Group

13:00-17:00:  Room: Conference Hall 1

(Meeting open to all delegates)

This symposium will review latest developments in TB diagnosis with a particular focus on detection of drug-resistance. The rise in MDR- and XDR-TB is reported repeatedly and represents a major challenge that requires a coordinated response. The session will highlight how innovations in diagnostics coupled with new anti-TB drugs are critical to the successful management of DR-TB. Presentations will update on progress towards improved knowledge of resistance patterns, the development of reliable assays to assess resistance to existing or new regimens and laboratory innovations to assist the effective introduction of these new tools.

Coordinator: Alessandra Varga, Consultant, Events and Image Development, FIND (Switzerland)
Chairs: Philippe Jacon (Switzerland), Catharina Boehme (Switzerland)

10:15-11: 15:  Room:  304/305

(Meeting open to all delegates)

This meeting is open to all and should be attended by anyone interested in learning about clinical trials to improve the treatment of patients with MDR-TB. Sessions will cover 1) Clinical trials of MDR-TB currently underway; 2) Clinical trials for MDR-TB in the planning stage; and 3) Availability of new drugs for patients with MDR and XDR-TB through Compassionate Use and Expanded Access Programs.

Coordinator: Nadza Durakovic (USA)
Chair: C. Robert Horsburgh Jr, Boston University School of Public Health (USA)

08:00 - 10:00:  Room:  310

(Meeting open to all delegates)

This meeting is open to all and should be attended by anyone interested in learning about clinical trials to improve the treatment of patients with MDR-TB. Sessions will cover 1) Clinical trials of MDR-TB currently underway; 2) Clinical trials for MDR-TB in the planning stage; and 3) Availability of new drugs for patients with MDR and XDR-TB through Compassionate Use and Expanded Access Programs.

Coordinator: Nadza Durakovic (USA)
Chair: C. Robert Horsburgh Jr, Boston University School of Public Health (USA)