IFPMA increases assistance to WHO-based TDR program

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations has made a grant of $1.0 million to the Special Program for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank and World Health Organization. The grant will support the TDR's development of new medicines to combat diseases that disproportionately affect poor people living in developing countries. The program plays a vital and unique role in helping to coordinate, support and encourage global R&D efforts in this important area, notes the IFPMA.

Robert Ridley, Director of the TDR, said: "this grant will help us develop and expand networks and collaborative agreements as part of our new 10-year strategy. We believe that bringing multidisciplinary groups together to solve problems will make a real difference in reducing many of the infectious tropical diseases that affect so many people in poor countries."

The IFPMA grant includes contributions from Abbott, Astellas, Bayer Healthcare, Chugai, Eisai, Merck & Co, Pfizer, Schering-Plough and Takeda.