Capacity Building In Brazil and South Africa

Over the last few months, the TB Alliance advanced plans to enlist the R&D capacity of endemic countries. By consulting with scientists and public health officials in Brazil and South Africa, the TB Alliance began to outline ways endemic countries can actively participate in the preclinical development of the compounds in its portfolio.


In assessing Brazil’s drug development capabilities for PA-824, TB Alliance CEO Dr. Maria Freire and RTI Global Health Head Dr. Doris Rouse attended a symposium on drug development, met with scientists, and toured facilities. Hosted by Dr. Diogenes Santos in Porto Alegre, the TB Alliance reviewed toxicology laboratories, clinical trial sites, and drug manufacturing capabilities among others.


In late January, the TB Alliance marked the third anniversary of the Cape Town Declaration and convened a Board Meeting there. In addition, TB Alliance staffers met with the Medical Research Council of South Africa as well as academic, public health and scientific institutions inCape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.


As the compounds in the portfolio move towards clinical trials, partners in endemic countries will be a key asset to the R&D strategy of the Alliance. The first stage of assessing the capacity of South Africa, and other endemic countries, will be priority as the TB Alliance development process accelerates.