Three Grants Announced at Columbia University Symposium Tracking Progress in Battle Against Disease Infecting One-Third of the World
NEW YORK CITY (March 7, 2006) – The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) today announced that it has received a total of $14 million (€11.65 million) from the British, Dutch and Irish governments to accelerate development of new drugs to treat a disease that kills two million people every year.
Dr. Maria C. Freire, CEO and President of the TB Alliance, announced the grants in a speech at an international symposium of global health experts gathered at Columbia University to review progress toward the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of halting and reversing the incidence of tuberculosis (TB). The conference was co-hosted by The Earth Institute at Columbia University and The TB Alliance.
"This investment moves us another step closer to putting new, better, affordable TB drugs in the hands of the poor. For millions of people around the globe, our work will mean the difference between life and death," Freire said.
The British Department of International Development committed ₤6.5 million ($11.3 million), in its first grant to the TB Alliance. The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided an additional grant of €2 million ($2.4 million), while Irish Aid provided €300,000 Euros ($360,512). The new funding will support the overall operations of the TB Alliance, including drug discovery and preclinical development; ongoing and new clinical trials; outreach and policy activities; and innovative approaches to further streamline drug development and testing.