G-FINDER 2010 shows change of focus on R&D funding

The third annual G-FINDER survey, the most comprehensive report to date on public and private funding into research and development (R&D) for neglected diseases, was published on 16 February. The 2010 survey reports both good and bad news on global investment into new neglected disease products for the developing world.

According to the report, global funding for R&D of new neglected disease products increased to US$ 3.2 billion in 2009, and funding was spread more evenly across the neglected diseases covered by G-FINDER, which includes HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. However, the statistics also show that funders have moved their focus away from development of badly-needed new products towards traditional basic research, with a US$50 million drop in funding in 2009 for Product Development Partnerships (PDPs).

The recent successes of PDPs proved that investing in the production of new and more useful drugs, vaccines and diagnostics tools will lead to improvements in health and help lessen the burden of neglected diseases in developing countries. Therefore, continued funding for PDPs is essential to ensure delivery of more new products.

“More funding is vital, and encouraging to see, but it’s just as important that the funds are spent wisely and well”, said the report author, Dr Mary Moran, Director of Policy Cures.

In addition, the G-FINDER reports that funding was also better distributed between diseases, where HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria maintained or increased their funding, but their share of the global funding pie dropped 77% in 2007 to 72% in 2009.

Download the G-FINDER 2010 full report (PDF)