neglected tropical disease

G-FINDER survey highlights increased industry investment in R&D for neglected diseases

The recently released fifth G-FINDER survey reports on 2011 global investment into research and development of new products for neglected diseases, and identifies trends and patterns across the five years of global G-FINDER data. In 2011, reported funding for neglected disease R&D was $3.05 billion. Both public and philanthropic funding have dropped away since the global financial crisis, but industry funding has increased dramatically over the survey period, predominantly due to increased investments from multinational pharmaceutical companies (MNCs).

On World Sight Day, Merck and Partners Mark 25 Years of Successful Collaboration To Help Eliminate River Blindness

Today on World Sight Day, 25 years after Merck started the MECTIZAN® Donation Program (MDP), the company celebrates with partners important progress in the elimination of river blindness, one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. In October 1987, Merck made the decision to donate the medication MECTIZAN for the treatment of river blindness (onchocerciasis) – as much as needed, for as long as needed – to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. MDP efforts are focused in Africa, Latin America and Yemen, where river blindness is endemic. In 1998, Merck expanded the MDP to include the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF), in African countries and Yemen where it co-exists with river blindness. World leaders come together to discuss the role of MDP in establishing a platform for disease control in a landmark event titled: 'Disease Elimination in the 21st Century.'

Alvos Biotecnologia, a company created by Biominas Brasil, had an effective participation in the development of a Brazilian vaccine against schistosomiasis

Brazil has created and will produce a vaccine against Schistosomiasis, a chronic illness caused by the Schistosoma parasite found in areas that lack basic sanitation. On June, 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) issued the results of clinical safety testing for the vaccine developed by the Experimental Schistosomiasis Laboratory of Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz). Based on the antigen Sm14, developed and patented by the IOC, the vaccine puts Brazil at the forefront of knowledge in a field of high technological complexity.

Partnerships a Critical Ingredient to Combating Neglected Diseases

Richard Chin, M.D. is a Board Certified internist with extensive expertise in drug development. He has overseen over 40 Investigational New Drug Applications for new molecular entities and new indications, as well as eight New Drug Applications/Biologic License Applications. As chief executive officer of OneWorld Health, Dr. Chin writes about a new partnership to fight one of the most pervasive killers of children worldwide.