BMGF – Gates Foundation Watch [to 22 November 2014]
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Media-Center/Press-Releases

NOVEMBER 18, 2014
Gates Foundation Announces Support to Ebola-Affected Countries To Accelerate the Evaluation of Potential Treatments
SEATTLE (November 18, 2014) – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced that it will be supporting efforts in Guinea and other Ebola-affected countries to scale up the production and evaluation of convalescent plasma and other convalescent blood products as potential therapies for people infected with the Ebola virus. Various drug candidates will also be evaluated, including the experimental antiviral drug brincidofovir.

The foundation has committed $5.7 million to launch the effort, and specific trial designs and locations will be confirmed in coordination with national health authorities and the World Health Organization.

“We are committed to working with Ebola-affected countries to rapidly identify and scale up potential lifesaving treatments for Ebola,” said Dr. Papa Salif Sow, a senior program officer and infectious diseases expert with the foundation’s Global Health Program. “The Gates Foundation is focusing its R&D investments on treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines that we believe could be quickly produced and delivered to those who need them if they demonstrate efficacy in stopping the disease.”

[The press release lists 27 partners involved in the efforts including companies, foundations, and academic and research centers.]