Neglected Disease Funding Remains Off the Mark
M Moran, J Guzman, AL Ropars, A McDonald, L Wu, B Omune, L McSherry
Recent research has, for the first time, shed light on how much is being invested globally on research and development (R&D) into new products to prevent, diagnose, manage or cure neglected diseases of the developing world.
These diseases, including both well-known infections such as malaria and HIV/AIDS and less well-known diseases such as onchocerciasis and helminth infections, account for more than 11 million deaths and just under 330 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) a year in developing countries alone. Despite this high burden, these diseases have historically received less attention than they deserve, especially in regards to funding for R&D of new pharmaceutical products. Since 2000, however, several developments have changed this field dramatically, including the establishment of new Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) for neglected diseases, increased philanthropic and public funding, and renewed commitment and participation from the pharmaceutical industry.
The research showed that more than US$2.5 billion was invested in neglected disease R&D in 2007. Where does the money go?
