Johannesburg — The Bill Gates Foundation has awarded 43 grants totalling US $430 million to research projects covering the development of vaccines for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries.

In a statement Gates said, "It's shocking how little research is directed toward the diseases of the world's poorest countries. By harnessing the world's capacity for scientific innovation, we can transform health in the developing world and save millions of lives."

Scientists working under the grant agreement are allowed to patent their inventions, provided that the products are made available at a low price or no cost to poor nations.

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]