For too many years, efforts to treat and bring malaria under control have been under-funded, under-researched and poorly coordinated. This is now changing. There is now hope on the horizon as we see renewed emphasis on partnerships, increased political momentum and significant new resources flow to combat this scourge. Coordination between the various actors – civil society, governments, philanthropy, industry and multilateral institutions – needs to continue to be strengthened to avoid overlap and duplication of efforts.
Research and development of new medicines is a vital investment in the future. For too long, the global community has neglected this critical area, as old drugs failed without appropriate replacements. Fortunately, the tide is changing. There is now a new research paradigm which responds to the needs of patients in developing countries. These so called Product Development Public-Private-Partnerships (PDPs) now account for three-quarters of all identified neglected disease development projects. They are leveraging the resources and strengths of the public and private sectors. They recognize that the sum of their parts will have a greater impact on health, economic and social progress in tackling malaria, than any single sector working in isolation. The world can now expect a considerable number of new drugs and vaccines within five years.
An example of this new model is the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). Established as a non-profit organization in Switzerland in 1999, MMV now manages the largest-ever portfolio of antimalarial drugs by combining the best of academic innovation and pharmaceutical sector expertise. Currently, more than 30 projects are moving through its pipeline – up to four new drugs could be approved for use within the next two years.
Another is the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Programme (EDCTP) which is a partnership between European and Developing countries to enable clinical trials for drugs and vaccines against HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and malaria.
The creation of these new public-private partnership models to support research and development has dramatically reinvigorated this neglected area. For the first time in history a pipeline of antimalarial drugs is being built specifically for the billions in developing countries who are at risk of the disease.
With research activities and clinical trials in more than 15 African countries, MMV and EDCTP are seeking to strengthen their partnerships with African countries with a view to fully engaging countries that will benefit from their work. It is time to plan the access and delivery of drugs to those who need it. African countries and PDP's need to share information and develop drug delivery partnerships to hasten access of new drugs to patients.
This is one of the reasons MMV is holding its 7th Annual Stakeholder Meeting in Kampala Uganda. Themed "The Power of Partnerships", the meeting aims to put emphasis on building partnerships with public and private sectors globally and within the African continent to defeat malaria . The meeting will provide a platform to pool knowledge and increase cooperation between public health experts, industry and research centers to create innovative and effective partnerships. It will address the many hurdles linked to access and delivery of antimalarial medicines across Africa and will unite leading actors from organizations ranging from ExxonMobil, Roll Back Malaria, to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Novartis to representatives from the Ugandan Government.
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There is now more funding available, and more research and effective partnerships are underway on treatment and prevention than at any time in the past. It is incumbent on all of us to continue to work in partnership to ensure that much-needed anti-malarial medicines are developed, costs are significantly reduced and that new, life-saving medicines reach the targeted population in malaria-endemic areas as quickly as possible.
We can be the generation that sets the timetable for the defeat of this ancient scourge. Hope is within our reach.
Dr. Chris Hentschel is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Medicines Malaria Venture (MMV).
Dr. Pascoal Mocumbi is the former Prime Minister of Mozambique and current High Representative of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership Programme (EDCTP).
