News
FDA Panel Confirms Effectiveness of Malaria Drug
12/1/08 - In a major step toward full approval, an advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration issued a report confirming positive results for the drug Coartem in treating malaria. Coartem, an artemisinin-based combination therapy, has been used extensively in places where malaria has developed resistance to traditional anti-malarial drugs. The drug’s maker Novartis has provided it to public health systems in developing countries at no cost in conjunction with the WHO and Global Fund, including over 62 million treatment courses in 2006. Novartis may receive a priority review voucher from the FDA for future drug development as part of Congress’ new system to incentivize drug maker research on tropical diseases.
Gates Foundation to Support Development of an X-Prize for Effective TB Diagnosis
The Gates Foundation has provided a planning grant to the X-Prize Foundation to develop a competitive research prize (similar to its previous prize for a manned spaceflight) for an effective and accurate diagnosis tool for tuberculosis. The foundations hope that the financial incentive will spur biotechnology entrepreneurs to develop a rapid, low-cost, and sensitive diagnostic test to help reduce the burden of disease in developing countries.
UN and DSM Nutritional Products Win Award for Micronutrient Power
ICIS, a leading chemical and petroleum industry magazine, awarded the UN World Food Program and Netherlands-based DSM Nutritional Products a prize for their joint initiative in producing a cost-efficient micronutrient packet for distribution in the developing world. The MixMe tasteless powder packet, which is now being distributed in Nepal, Kenya, and Bangladesh, contains vitamins and trace minerals which, when added to normally micronutrient deficient foods like corn and rice, helps avert numerous childhood and adult morbidities. The non-profit arm of DSM, Sight and Life, provides the WFP with expertise, high nutrient products, and financial assistance in the initiative, currently in its second year.
Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health
Bamako International Conference Centre in Bamako, Mali
November 17 – 19, 2008
Presented by Council of Health Research for Development, Global Forum for Health Research, The Republic of Mali, UNESCO, The World Bank, The World Health Organization
This forum will gather policy-makers and researchers to focus on the key linkages between the health sector and research, science and technology, higher education, and the global innovation system. Ministerial discussions will occur on the role of the private sector in health systems, as well as research for health system strengthening in Africa and health policy and systems research.
U.S. - Africa Private Sector Health Forum
Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C., USA
November 20-21, 2008
Presented by the Corporate Council on Africa
This forum will bring together private and public sector leaders from the U.S. and Africa, including companies, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and development banks. The forum will highlight investment opportunities in private sector health care and delivery in Africa. Workshop and plenary session topics will range from medical franchising to leveraged partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms to risk pooling and health insurance, amongst others.
Role of the Private Sector in Health Symposium
In Beijing, China
July 11, 2009
This iHEA pre-conference symposium is intended to bring together policymakers and researchers to map out knowledge on the role of the private sector in health care and health systems development and to determine where further research is needed. Sessions will be conducted on innovations in private sector-government health care relations and understanding the nature of mixed health systems, amongst others.
For further information about attending, visit the iHEA website and view the announcement.