London to play host to first ever-global survey on neglected diseases research

London, Feb.2 (ANI): A special event is being organized here this week to reveal the results of the first comprehensive survey of "Global Funding for Innovation for Neglected Diseases".

The event, to be chaired by Andrew Jack of the Financial Times, will reveal the results of the first comprehensive survey of "Global Funding for Innovation for Neglected Diseases" which will be released at the Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, London, on Wednesday (Feb.4).

It is for the first time that a global survey puts numbers to and analyzes the choices of public and private investment into R and D for neglected diseases. While HIV, TV and Malaria get the lions share, many significant diseases are under-funded, including pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases - collectively received less than six percent of total funding.

G-Finder will provide the first comprehensive review of global investment into new product research and development for 30 neglected diseases and aims to provide invaluable evidence to policy-makers and funders to inform and support the major decisions being made in global health funding now and into the future.

In its inaugural year, G-FINDER surveyed 134 funders in 43 countries for their 2007 R and D investment into the following:

30 neglected diseases

127 product areas for these diseases, including drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, microbicides, vector control products and platform technologies

All types of product-related R and D, including basic research, discovery and preclinical, clinical development, Phase IV and pharmacovigilance studies, and baseline epidemiological studies

The panelists include Dr. Mary Moran in the chair, John Worley, Head of Profession (Health), Department of International Development (DFID), UK Government, Dr. Tido von Schoen-Angerer, Director of the Access to Essential Medicines Campaign, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Dr.Chris Hentschel, President and CEO, Medicines for Malaria Venture, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Representative, (TBC) and others.

The George Institute for International Health is holding the interactive forum to discuss

the G-Finder report--the first comprehensive global review of investment into research and development of new medicines for neglected diseases-in the context of the financial meltdown.

The event will include the international commentators in an open forum to discuss the report findings and the likely impact of the financial crisis on funders' intentions and future approaches to investment in neglected diseases.

The event will include a press conference and launch of global funding R and D investment survey Findings Followed by panel on: "Financial meltdown and neglected diseases, who will pay the price?

The survey has been commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. (ANI)