Neonatal sepsis remains one of the leading causes of newborn death and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment worldwide, particularly across resource-limited settings. Tackling it demands research that is collaborative, adaptive, and connected across sites and disciplines, which is exactly what the SNIP-AFRICA and NeoSep-ADAPT research platforms are built to deliver.
To mark World Sepsis Day 2026, join us for a special Penta Aperitivo webinar, which brings together researchers, clinicians and everyone working in newborn health. The Penta Aperitivo webinar will take place on Thursday, 17th September 2026, 12:30 UK time/WAT | 13:30 CAT/CEST | 14:30 EAT (Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes), offering an in-depth look at how these two complementary research platforms are working together to strengthen neonatal sepsis surveillance, adaptive trials and long-term follow-up studies across diverse settings.
What you’ll learn
- The vision and structure of the SNIP-AFRICA and NeoSep-ADAPT platforms
- The major research domains contributing the platforms: from clinical and microbiological surveillance to dose-optimisation and long-term follow-up
- How participating sites are engaging across these domains
- Opportunities for collaboration, implementation and future growth
- Where the platforms are headed next as a connected research ecosystem within the global newborn health community
Agenda highlights
All times in CEST/CAT.
13:30–13:35: Welcome and opening remarks (Francesca Schiavone, Olufunke Bolaji)
13:35–13:50: Overview of the SNIP-AFRICA platform (Mbozu Sipalo)
13:50–14:05: Overview of NeoSep-ADAPT & synergies within SNIP-AFRICA (Chiara Minotti)
14:05–14:35: Rapid fire presentations about the SNIP-AFRICA domains
- NeoSep1: the complex adaptive drug regimen trial (Julia Bielicki)
- Clinical & microbiological surveillance domain (Christina Obiero)
- Dose-optimising domain: the PRECISION study (Veshni Pillay-Fuentes Lorente)
- Long-Term Follow-Up (NeoSep LTFU-1): a future domain (Getrud Mollel)
14:35–14:55: Panel discussion & audience Q&A (All speakers)
14:55–15:00: Closing remarks and next steps (Francesca Schiavone, Olufunke Bolaji)
What is Penta Aperitivo?
Penta Aperitivo webinars, hosted by Penta – Child Health Research, keep you up to date on the latest developments in paediatric infectious diseases, covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management, as well as emerging research and therapies. They’re also a great way to learn more about Penta’s initiatives and the benefits of joining the Penta ID Network. Watch past Aperitivo recordings here.
Whether you’re a current SNIP-AFRICA collaborator, a partner organisation, or simply working in newborn health, this Penta Aperitivo webinar is a chance to get a comprehensive picture of how SNIP-AFRICA and NeoSep-ADAPT fit together — and where you might plug in to help generate the evidence needed to manage neonatal sepsis, more contextually and equitably.
Can’t make it live? A recording of the webinar will be shared here after the event.
