The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) today announced the appointment of Dr. Carlos Morel to its Board of Directors. Dr. Morel is the Director of the Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS) of FIOCRUZ, a scientific institution dedicated to biomedical research and development located in Brazil.
The TB Alliance is a not-for-profit, product development partnership leading the discovery and development of affordable, new TB drugs that will shorten and simplify treatment, be effective against drug-resistant strains, and be compatible with antiretroviral therapies for patients coinfected with HIV. The Alliance currently manages the largest portfolio of potential new TB drugs ever assembled, including three compounds in advanced clinical trials.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Morel, who brings with him energy and dedication to help accelerate the development of new TB drugs," said Dr. Bruce Carter, Chairman of the Board for the TB Alliance, and Executive Director, Immune Design. "His knowledge and experience in the field of tropical diseases will greatly enhance our ability to deliver urgently needed new TB regimens that will save millions of lives."
Prior to his current position, Dr. Morel was professor at the University of Brasilia, Brazil, President of Fiocruz and Director of The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), an independent global program of scientific collaboration co-sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Morel is a senior researcher at Fiocruz and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi). Dr. Morel has served two prior terms on the TB Alliance Board of Directors, from 2002 – 2004 and 2005 – 2007.