Bayer HealthCare supports IFPMA Assistance to the WHO-based Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR)
Bayer HealthCare has donated a six-figure sum to the WHO-based Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank and WHO. The donation contributes to the USD 1,000,000 the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) granted TDR.
The grant will support TDR's development of new medicines to combat diseases that disproportionately affect poor people living in developing countries. The TDR programme plays a vital and unique role in helping to coordinate, support and encourage global research and development efforts in this important area.
Dr. Robert Ridley, Director of TDR, said: “This grant will help us develop and expand networks and collaborative agreements as part of our new ten 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 collaborative approach increases skills and develops shared priorities in both the public and private sectors, including increasingly within developing countries.”
Mr. Fred Hassan, President of the IFPMA commented: “This grant confirms industry's commitment to support global efforts to help control infectious diseases in these countries and make better health care available to patients globally.”
Research-based pharmaceutical companies have been working closely with the TDR since its inception in 1975 and will continue to do so. The TDR “network” model brings together academic researcher groups and industry, providing an environment which enables companies to make available a broad range of in-kind resources, with the ultimate goal to promote the development, availability and accessibility of new medicines to combat diseases that disproportionately affect poor people living in developing countries.
