1. Creating the Tools of Tomorrow: investing in global health R&D
Four organisations involved in development and global health published Creating the Tools of Tomorrow: investing in global health R&D. The paper argues the urgent need to invest in research and development to fight infectious diseases; maternal, infant and child health issues; and nutritional deficiencies. EDCTP is briefly discussed as “example of a successful partnership for product development.” The paper mentions EDCTP’s contribution to the funding of “two ongoing Aeras-sponsored trials of the world’s most clinically advanced tuberculosis vaccine candidates in Africa”.

The organisations that published this appeal to sustain the momentum and continue investment in global health R&D are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DWS (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung, a German development foundation), the Global Health Technologies Coalition (in which 40 non-profit organisations participate), and Policy Cures, an independent research and advisory group in the field of neglected diseases.

2. Research and Development for Poverty-Related and Neglected Diseases: a priority in the next EU research Framework Programme “Horizon 2020”
More than 30 organisations have advocated that the new European research framework programme, Horizon 2020, prioritises research for poverty related diseases. The position paper Research and Development for Poverty-Related and Neglected Diseases: a priority in the next EU Research Framework Programme “Horizon 2020” was brought to the attention of Members of the European Parliament and the governments of the European Member States. The parties which took this initiative urge the European Union among other things “to ensure sufficient and predictable funding towards EDCTP-II” and to consider some changes in its structure.

The position paper was endorsed by; Action for Global Health; Aeras; CBM Severo Ochoa; COHRED; Comité Antisiada de Palencia; CPSS; FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics); DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative); DSW; European AIDS Treatment Group; Fundación Cultura de Paz; Fundación Cyca (Inesfly); Global Forum for Health Research; Global Health Advocates; Global Health Europe; IAVI (International Aids Vaccine Initiative); International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine; International Partnership for Microbicides; Investen Instituto de Salud Carlos III; ISGlobal Barcelona Institute for Global Health; KNCV tuberculosis Foundation; Malaria Consortium; Malaria No More United Kingdom; MMV ((Medicines for Malaria Venture); Path; Planeta Salud; REDVIH; Results; Roll Back Malaria Partnership; Salud por Derecho (Right to Health Foundation); Stop AIDS Alliance; Stop TB; Stop TB Lietuva; TB Alert; TBVI; VIH-DA Associació; World Vision.

3. Key Recommendations for inclusion in Horizon 2020
A group of global Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) published its Key Recommendations for inclusion in Horizon 2020 of research and innovation regarding neglected diseases. The paper explains and recommends the PDP approach and gives “Specific Recommendations concerning EDCTP-II. PDPs strongly support the goal of EDCTP to build partnerships and to support and facilitate clinical trials in Africa. Given the growing significance of EDCTP as an important mechanism for funding and building capacity for global health research, it is timely that its design and scope be revised so that a broader range of PDPs are able to effectively utilize this mechanism”

The group consists of Aeras (TB vaccine development); DNDi; FIND;  IAVI; IPM (International Partnership for Microbicides); MMV; Path catalyst for global health; and the TB Alliance (Global Alliance for TB Drug Development).

Links:

• Global Health Technologies Coalition news item