The Center for Global Health R&D Policy Assessment website is now live.

Visit www.healthresearchpolicy.org to read the latest blogs and learn more about current assessments. Additionally, read below for more details on this project.

Traditionally, many infectious diseases disproportionately affecting poor and marginalized populations have been overlooked by Big Pharma and other players as they develop their research agendas. However, more recently a number of new and promising ideas have emerged on how to stimulate research and development (R&D) for these neglected “diseases of the poor.” Such ideas include innovation funds, prizes, academic-biotech hubs, advance market commitments, patent pools, and novel forms of North-South collaboration.

While these innovative policy proposals put forth by academics, think tanks, and other advocates are a welcome development, it can be challenging for interested funders, government officials, private investors, and other opinion leaders to digest and evaluate them in terms of their possible impact, cost, feasibility, and risks.

To address this problem, the Results for Development Institute (R4D) has recently received a three-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish an assessment center for innovative global health R&D policy and finance proposals.

R4D and its partners will conduct independent assessments of proposed new policy ideas aimed at accelerating the development of drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health technologies for neglected diseases.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Map the leading R&D policy and financing ideas and create a short list for further analysis;
• Assess the selected proposals in a systematic and impartial manner using criteria that enable funders, policy-makers, advocates, and opinion leaders to weigh the pros and cons of individual proposals and compare possible solutions to specific R&D constraints and challenges;
• Inform R&D funders and other key actors about the findings of the policy assessments, enabling them to make sound investment decisions; and
• Lay the groundwork for increased exchange of information and analysis on global heath R&D policies.

During the start-up phase of the project (November 2009-March 2010), the R4D team will focus on mapping and short-listing innovative policy ideas, developing a methodology for in-depth assessments, and establishing a platform for outreach. We expect to consult broadly during this period.

For additional details on our R&D policy assessment project, please contact Amrita Palriwala at apalriwala@resultsfordevelopment.org.