Working hours during Carnival at FIOCRUZ
On Friday (February 13), the eve of Carnival, Fiocruz will operate remotely.
During Carnival week, there will be optional working hours on Monday (February 16) and Tuesday (February 17).
On Wednesday (February 18), work will be remote from 2 p.m. onwards.
These measures do not apply to essential services, which will operate normally. The Fiocruz Daycare Center and Nust/CST will not be open for in-person service between February 13 and February 18.

Working hours during Carnival at ReBEC/FIOCRUZ

SYSTEM AND CHAT SERVICE REBEC@
The ReBEC platform remains in operation 24 hours a day, every day of the week, with service provided by AI ReBEC@. 

CHAT AND HUMAN SERVICE
Human service follows the special operating hours determined by Fiocruz for Carnival. On Friday (February 13), the eve of Carnival, remote working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During Carnival week, optional working on February 16 and 17. On Wednesday, February 18, remote working from 2 p.m. Human service hours will return to normal from Thursday, February 19.

PRIORITY SERVICES

The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) presents the new fast tracks for clinical research and observational studies on INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES and on NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES (NTDs). Fast-track can reduce the normal approval period for clinical trials to less than 48 hours, if the documentation, information and any mandatory changes requested are provided by the registrant.

The already existing fast-tracks and the attendance to other studies will not be interrupted. Priority care is granted with a view to accelerating clinical research in epidemiological emergency situations and/or studies with the potential to reduce socioeconomic inequalities, keeping the perspective aligned with the forefront of ethics and transparency, diplomacy in health, scientific collaboration and diversity and specificities of recruitment and health care.

FAST-TRACKS IN OPERATION:

I - Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Communities, Human Migration and Refugee Movements – clinical research and observational studies dedicated to or preferably addressing traditional communities (quilombola, caiçara, faxinalense, among others), Indigenous peoples (within or outside legally demarcated territories), and refugee groups, taking into account the specificities established by regulation, on a case-by-case basis.

II - Neglected Tropical Diseases – Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Leishmaniasis, Schistosomiasis, Scabies, Chagas disease, Intestinal parasitoses, Viral hepatitis, Trachoma, Onchocerciasis, Human rabies transmitted by dogs.

III - National and International Public Health Emergencies – Mpox, Covid-19.

IV - Arboviruses – Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, Yellow fever.

V - WHO Prioritized Pathogens for Latin America – Studies dealing with World Health Organization prioritized pathogens for Latin America, as listed in the document "PATHOGENS PRIORITIZATION - A SCIENTIFIC FRAMEWORK FOR EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC RESEARCH PREPAREDNESS" (Health Emergencies Programme, 2024) – Lassa fever, Cholera, Black Death (Plague), Bacillary dysentery or Shigellosis, Salmonella, Pneumonia, Urinary tract infection, MERS-CoV, SARS, Ebola virus (EVE), Marburg virus (MVE), Ebola virus (EVE) Sudan subtype, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Influenza A H1, Influenza A H2, Influenza A H3, Avian influenza (Influenza A H5N1), Avian influenza (Influenza A H6), Avian influenza H7 (Avian influenza H7), Avian influenza H10 or Avian influenza H10, Nipah disease, Viral hemorrhagic disease, Poliomyelitis, Hand-foot-and-mouth disease, Herpangina, Viral meningitis, Smallpox, Mpox, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE).

VI - WHO Prioritized Prototype Pathogens for Latin America – Studies dealing with World Health Organization prioritized prototype pathogens for Latin America, as listed in the document "PATHOGENS PRIORITIZATION - A SCIENTIFIC FRAMEWORK FOR EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC RESEARCH PREPAREDNESS" (Health Emergencies Programme, 2024) – Recombinant mastadenovirus, Mastadenovirus blackbeardi serotype 14, Mammarenavirus juninense, Mammarenavirus lujoense, Mamastrovirus virginiaense, Orthobornavirus bornaense, Orthoflavivirus encephalitidis, Orthoflavivirus nilense, Orthohepadnavirus hominoidae genotype C, Paslahepevirus balayani genotype 3, Protoparvovirus carnivoran, Orthobunyavirus oropoucheense, Phlebovirus riftense, Orthopicobirnavirus hominis, Enterovirus alphacoxsackie 71, Enterovirus deconjuncti 68, Metapneumovirus hominis, Orthopoxvirus vaccinia, Genus Vesiculovirus, Genus Rotavirus, Orthoreovirus mammalis.

VII - Studies on the impacts of climate change, the effects of scientific denialism, and health misinformation -The physical, mental, and social consequences of environmental and climate changes on human populations; The impact of extreme weather events and environmental degradation on infectious, chronic, or emerging diseases; The influence of denialist narratives and misinformation in Health on adherence to preventive measures, vaccination, treatments, and risk behaviors, as well as the physical and mental outcomes for human beings and populations.

INSTRUCTIONS:

We recommend reading the Registrant Handbook. Material available at LINK.

1. Register or log in and normally fill out the forms in Portuguese and English. For English, in case of difficulty, use the Google Translate tool (or another free translation tool).
2. Attach the mandatory ethics committee documentation and submit the form.
3. Register the service number on your Whatsapp. Send a message with your name and login. IT IS NOT NECESSARY NOR RECOMMENDED TO SEND YOUR PASSWORD.
4. A reviewer will respond to you. Choose the service modality: chat, audio recordings or voice call by appointment.
5. Your form will be proofread in both languages. Follow the remaining guidelines to finalize the approval.

CONTACTS:

Support is online, via chat, dedicated telephone line (see phone number below) and WhatsApp, from 9 am to 5 pm (Brasília time).

Administrative, priority and/or urgent matters outside office hours: plantao.rebec@gmail.com
Line 1: +55 21 97203-4750

ABOUT REBEC:

The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) is a free access virtual platform for recording experimental and non-experimental studies carried out on human beings and conducted in Brazilian territory, by Brazilian and foreign researchers. ReBEC is a joint project of the Ministry of Health (DECIT/MS), the Pan American Health Organization (OPAS) and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ). ReBEC's Executive Committee is composed of the aforementioned institutions and the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).

02/27/2026 | UN News/Health

https://news.un.org/pt/story/2026/02/1852501?utm_source=ONU+News+-+Newsletter&utm_campaign=988c32dfea-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_02_28_01_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_98793f891c-988c32dfea-437346099 

The World Health Organization has issued recommendations for the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere; the goal is to offer the best possible protection against serious illness and death; the analysis includes the circulation of virus variants in animals and the risk of transmission to humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines for the 2026-2027 Northern Hemisphere flu season. The announcement followed a four-day consultation that examined global surveillance data.

Every year, approximately 1 billion cases of seasonal influenza are recorded, including 3 to 5 million severe cases. The disease causes 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually.

“Shared risks require shared action”

The composition of the vaccine must be updated regularly because the viruses are constantly changing. WHO recommendations are used by national regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies around the world to develop, produce, and license influenza vaccines.

This ensures that doses are strictly associated with the viruses most likely to circulate, offering the best possible protection against serious illness and death.

These consultations are held twice a year, once for the Northern Hemisphere and once for the Southern Hemisphere, bringing together experts from the WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System Collaborating Centres and Regulatory…

02/27/2026  |  Marco Meglio  |  Neurology Live

https://www.neurologylive.com/view/from-trial-design-institutional-policy-advancing-equity-brain-tumor-care 

In honor of Black History Month, neurologist Na Tosha Gatson, MD, PhD, reflects on structural inequities in neuro-oncology and advancing equity through mentorship, trial design, and institutional policy.

Brain tumor outcomes vary across racial and socioeconomic groups, reflecting long-standing inequities in access to specialty care, clinical trials, and advanced diagnostics. As neuro-oncology continues to advance through biomarker discovery and precision medicine, equity in access and representation remains a central challenge.

During Black History Month, leaders across neuroscience reflect not only on representation in medicine, but also on the structural systems that shape patient outcomes. Na Tosha Gatson, MD, PhD, FAAN, Tenured Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and Director of The Center for Neuro-Oncology, has built her career at the intersection of clinical excellence, research innovation, and equity-focused leadership.

In this conversation with NeurologyLive, Gatson discusses the structural drivers that influence neuro-oncology outcomes, how mentorship can shape the next generation of neurologists, and why embedding equity principles into clinical trial design and institutional policy is essential for lasting change.

Brain tumor outcomes vary across racial groups. In the context of Black History Month, what historical or structural factors do you think clinicians often overlook in neuro-oncology care?
Na Tosha Gatson, MD, PhD, FAAN: Clinicians frequently overlook the deep-rooted impact of structural racism, socioeconomic disparities, and historical mistrust in healthcare…

02/24/2026  |  Gareth Macdonald  |  BioXconomy

https://www.bioxconomy.com/clinical-and-research/china-leads-global-drug-rd-with-faster-trials-analysis-says 

McKinsey analysis reveals China’s clinical trial recruitment runs two to five times faster than US and EU benchmarks in development.

China leading R&D race thanks to trials talent and CRO ecosystem

China is outpacing Europe and the US in drug R&D, according to McKinsey & Co, which suggests the country’s “dense CRO ecosystem,” well-resourced sites, supportive regulations, and clinical talent pool are key drivers.

The consulting group shared its take in a recent analysis, arguing that China is becoming a global drug research hub due to the speed at which such work gets carried out in the country.

“Early discovery-to-IND [Investigational New Drug] cycles are 50% to 70%faster than the rest of the world due to parallelized workflows, dense CRO ecosystems, and a culture of executional intensity,” the authors wrote.

In terms of clinical trials, they cited recruitment speed—particularly in later stage studies—and the country’s high study completion rate as the key dynamics.

“In late development, trial recruitment often runs two to five times faster than US and EU benchmarks, thanks to large and concentrated patient pools, well-resourced sites, and maturing clinical capabilities.

“China’s trial execution is also a differentiator—its share of global clinical trials reached 39 percent in 2023, with patient recruitment and development timelines outpacing benchmarks in the US and EU,” they wrote.

The McKinsey team also highlighted the role Chinese investigators are playing in drug development as evidence…

02/27/2026  |  Beth Koike   |  Vlor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/google/amp/business/news/2026/02/27/santas-casas-join-forces-in-clinical-research.ghtml 

Project led by Dr. Nelson Teich attracts pharmaceutical companies in newly regulated clinical research market

Four months after the regulation of clinical research in Brazil, Santas Casas and public philanthropic hospitals are joining forces to conduct scientific studies on new treatments. The country has 1,800 such healthcare institutions, which together account for 62% of high-complexity surgeries and 50% of medium-complexity procedures performed in the public health system.

Under a moderate scenario with gradual adoption of the new legislation, revenue from clinical research at Santas Casas and philanthropic hospitals is expected to nearly double within four years. In 2026, estimates range from R$1.8 billion to R$2.25 billion, rising to between R$3.8 billion and R$4.7 billion by 2030, according to consultancy Ekantika.

The project is led by oncologist Nelson Teich, who served as Health minister in 2020, in partnership with Ekantika, which is using its data and artificial intelligence platform for analysis.

“It is a way for Santas Casas to receive an injection of new funding amid longstanding difficulties with public transfers. These philanthropic institutions are known for high-complexity care,” Teich said.

A joint effort among Santas Casas is particularly valuable for clinical research because these hospitals treat patients from across the country, which has the world’s greatest genetic diversity, and handle more complex medical cases, which are of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Drugmakers sponsor between 78% and 86% of clinical trials…

02/26/2026 | Matheus De Lucca | Xataca Brasil

https://www.xataka.com.br/ciencia/dia-historico-para-a-saude-publica-brasileira-mundo-inteiro-tentou-a-vacina-definitiva-e-dose-unica-a-dengue-e-100-nossa-e-ja-esta-rodando-ai 

Eliminating breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito remains the main front in the fight against dengue; the vaccine is an innovative technology that complements vector control, not a substitute.

The Ministry of Health took a historic step in the fight against dengue by initiating, in January 2026, a pilot vaccination strategy with Butantan-DV. Unlike all previous solutions, this vaccine is 100% Brazilian and a world first, requiring only one dose to guarantee protection.

But how does Brazil plan to move from laboratories to immunize a population of continental dimensions? The answer involves laboratory cities, cutting-edge biotechnology, and strategic Asian cooperation.

Where science meets the street
Instead of a widespread distribution, the government opted to apply the vaccine in "pilot municipalities" with populations between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants and well-structured health networks.

Vaccination began on January 17th in the cities of Maranguape (CE) and Nova Lima (MG). On January 18th, the municipality of Botucatu (SP) also joined the initiative. It is worth remembering that Botucatu already has prior experience, having adopted a similar methodology in evaluating the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The initial target audience focuses on people aged 15 to 59 years. The main objective of this phase is to evaluate the impact of the vaccine on the actual dynamics of disease transmission and to gather the necessary evidence to support…