December 15, 2025
IPOPI Jose Drabwell Research Grant Programme 2024 Winners: Mid-Term Updates
The IPOPI Jose Drabwell Research Grant Programme aims to stimulate innovative, patient-centred research in the field of immunodeficiencies by supporting projects that generate new knowledge and improve understanding of the challenges faced by people living with PIDs. One year into the 2024 programme, the four projects have reached the halfway point and are actively advancing their research.
Mental Health Trajectories in Children and Adolescents with PID – Dr Intan Juliana Abd Hamid, Universiti Sains, Malaysia
This pioneering longitudinal study aims to examine the mental health of children living with PID in Malaysia and identify the psychosocial factors that influence recovery or persistent difficulties. The project has received ethics approval, data collection is underway, and early findings have already been shared through preliminary dissemination activities. A literature review on assessment methods for health-related quality of life in children is also expected to be published soon.
Strengthening Access to Plasma-Derived Medicinal Products Through Public–Private Partnerships – Cynthia Olotch and Bonita Ayuko, Primary Immunodeficiencies Association, Kenya
This study’s objective is to explore how public–private partnerships could support stronger healthcare systems in Africa, with a particular focus on improving access to plasma fractionation and essential plasma-derived medicines. Secondary data collection is complete, and preparations are being finalised for primary stakeholder interviews to begin shortly.
Selective Screening for Antibody Deficiencies in Patients with Severe Lung Infections – Dr Anastasiia Bondarenko and Dr Yuriy Stepanovskyy, Ukrainian Association of Pediatric Immunology, Ukraine
This project seeks to address the significant underdiagnosis of PIDs in Ukrainian adults by implementing targeted screening in hospitals where patients are admitted with severe bronchopulmonary infections. Clinical centres and laboratories have been selected, screening is underway, and preliminary data have already been shared internationally, including at IPIC2025.
Integrating Tiered Screening for Severe Inborn Errors of Immunity into Routine Newborn Screening – Dr Geeta Govindaraj, Kerala University of Health Sciences and FPID Regional Diagnostic Centre, India
This project focuses on developing a practical model for integrating TREC/KREC testing into existing newborn screening pathways in a resource-limited setting. Affected families are being counselled, newborn screening tests are being performed among participating high-risk families, and psychological-impact assessments are expected to take place in the second part of the project.
As these four projects enter their second year, promising progress is being made across diverse research areas—from mental health and health systems strengthening to diagnostic improvement and newborn screening. IPOPI looks forward to continuing to support the teams in advancing knowledge that benefits the global PID community.
