New WHO Document On Neglected Disease R&D Model Projects

A new document on efforts to find innovative financing for neglected diseases has been made available today at the World Health Assembly.

The document, A67/28 Add.1 [pdf], is a report on 7-10 May meetings of the “demonstration project” stakeholders. It does not provide significant detail on the meetings.

Under the work of the Consultative Expert Working Group (CEWG) on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination, four demonstration project were selected (IPW, WHO, 16 May 2014).

The new document states that there is a $50 million budget line for the demonstration projects and the agreed Global Health R&D Observatory over four years. It is not clear where the observatory will be situated.

It states:

“Participants in these stakeholder meetings included existing and potential partners and donors as identified by the proponents of the selected demonstration projects. The same representatives of Member States who had been invited to observe the 10 March 2014 meeting to identify the demonstration projects were invited to attend the stakeholders’ meetings. The proponents described their projects in detail, focusing both on the technical aspects and on the innovative aspects that seek to demonstrate the principles highlighted in the report on follow-up of the report of the CEWG.

An analysis (sponsored by one of the proponents) of the feasibility of pooling financial resources to support all the four projects was presented. Discussion centred on project plans in terms of next steps, resource needs and responsibilities. Participants also discussed ideas for improving implementation and mobilizing political and financial support.

5. Following a joint request from the proponents of the four health research and development demonstration projects, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases is opening a dedicated budget line within its Trust Fund, which will allow potential donors to provide resources for the four projects and for further development of the global health R&D Observatory.

This budget line, which will facilitate implementation of the demonstration projects, will be time-limited (four years), restricted to pooled resources dedicated to the four projects and the R&D Observatory, and will host a maximum of US$ 50 million. Governance of the use of funds will be placed under the oversight of the Joint Coordinating Board of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases.”