New York, USA and Manila, Philippines — [Date] — TB Alliance and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at advancing shared priorities in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) across Asia and the Pacific. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the two organizations will collaborate to support stronger health systems, help expand access to quality TB treatment, and promote innovation and coordinated action to accelerate progress toward TB control and elimination.
ADB, a leading multilateral development bank dedicated to sustainable and inclusive growth in the region, has emphasized the importance of resilient health systems and universal health coverage. TB Alliance recognizes ADB’s leadership in acknowledging the profound health and economic impacts of TB across Asia and the Pacific and commends its commitment to supporting countries in strengthening their health systems, including TB response efforts.
Under the MOU, TB Alliance and ADB will pursue collaboration across several areas of mutual interest. These include joint advocacy and support for national capacity building to strengthen health systems for TB control and elimination; assistance and guidance related to financing TB responses in ADB’s developing member countries; support for research and development of new technologies to treat, diagnose, and prevent TB; and efforts to improve equitable access to affordable, quality TB medications and treatments. The partnership will also explore opportunities to enhance regional manufacturing capacity for TB therapies and diagnostics, and develop cooperation mechanisms that enable cross-country coordination in TB prevention, control, and elimination.
“This partnership underscores a shared commitment to accelerating the development and delivery of modern TB tools,” said Dr. Mel Spigelman, President and CEO of TB Alliance. “ADB’s recognition of the urgent health and economic importance of combating TB is vital, and together we aim to help ensure that countries across Asia and the Pacific are equipped to introduce and scale up the innovations that will define the next phase of the global TB response.”
“Asian Development Bank is pleased to partner with TB Alliance to help strengthen the region’s capacity to address one of its most persistent public health challenges,” said Dr. Eduardo Banzon, Director for Health of ADB. “The fight against TB is essential to achieving resilient and inclusive growth in Asia and the Pacific. Through this collaboration, we look forward to supporting countries in expanding equitable access to effective TB services and in accelerating the development and deployment of innovative, people-friendly TB tools for the millions in need.”
The MOU establishes a framework for non-exclusive cooperation and facilitates joint work aligned with each organization’s priorities and resources. By combining TB Alliance’s leadership in advancing TB drug development with ADB’s deep regional presence and development expertise, the partnership aims to strengthen national and regional systems, support accelerated access to effective TB tools, and contribute to the long-term goal of ending TB across Asia and the Pacific.