Prostejov 1

This research aims to improve early detection of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in the Czech Republic. It is a national, prospective, multicenter, non-interventional pilot project conducted in 18 clinical centers. The goal is to prepare, implement, and evaluate a screening process for early HCV detection and to develop new methods to integrate this screening into social healthcare systems. The project also seeks to reduce further transmission of HCV by identifying gaps in ongoing care for this population. Participants will undergo testing for hepatitis C antibodies to determine past exposure to the virus. Those who test positive for antibodies will receive further testing for HCV RNA and genotype to confirm active infection. Approximately 3,000 PWID will be enrolled to test the screening procedure and assess its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings. Participants will be screened and monitored until December 31, 2025, with researchers tracking the incidence of HCV in the screened cohort. The study will help create a methodology for continuous care from early diagnosis through treatment and propose system changes to make screening more efficient. The project is supported by European and Czech funding and registered by national authorities.

Researchers are evaluating maridebart cafraglutide, a drug given as an addition to standard care, to see if it reduces heart-related problems and deaths better than a placebo in people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who are overweight or obese. This phase 3 study focuses on cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and deaths related to heart conditions, aiming to improve outcomes in this high-risk population. Participants will receive either maridebart cafraglutide or a placebo, both administered by injection under the skin. The study compares these two groups over a period of up to approximately 35 months, monitoring heart-related health events to assess the drug's impact. The placebo group will receive injections that look identical but contain no active drug, ensuring a double-blind study design. During the study, participants will be regularly evaluated for major cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and death. Researchers will track the time until these events occur to measure the drug's effectiveness. Safety and health will be closely monitored throughout the study period, and participants will be followed for up to nearly three years to gather comprehensive data on cardiovascular outcomes and overall survival.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of maridebart cafraglutide, given alongside standard care, in reducing heart failure events such as hospitalizations, urgent visits, cardiovascular deaths, and improving symptoms in people with heart failure who have preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction and are obese. This is a global phase 3, multicenter trial with a two-part design including a double-blind period followed by an open-label extension. The first part will end once around 850 key events have been recorded. Participants will receive either maridebart cafraglutide or a placebo, both administered by injection under the skin. The study includes an initial randomized, double-blind phase and a later open-label extension where all participants may receive the active treatment. The trial is designed to monitor participants over time to assess the safety and effects of the treatment compared to placebo. During the trial, participants will undergo assessments including monitoring for cardiovascular events, heart failure symptoms, and laboratory tests such as NT-proBNP levels. Researchers will track time until the first occurrence of cardiovascular death or heart failure events over approximately 35 months. Safety evaluations, adherence to treatment, and ongoing health status will be followed throughout the study period.