GHIT Fund [to 21 May 2016]
https://www.ghitfund.org/
GHIT was set up in 2012 with the aim of developing new tools to tackle infectious diseases that devastate the world’s poorest people. Other funders include six Japanese pharmaceutical companies, the Japanese Government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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2016.05.20 Press Room
Government of Japan Announces Decision to Contribute US$130 million to GHIT Fund/UNDP Replenishment
TOKYO, JAPAN (May 20, 2016)—Today, the Government of Japan (GOJ) announced its policy ahead of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit that it will make a US$130 million contribution to the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) /United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) replenishment, signaling Japan’s unwavering support for research and development (R&D) for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) worldwide.

Launched in 2013 as a public and private partnership, the GHIT Fund has built a robust portfolio of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. The Fund is expanding: it has invested upwards of US$60 million in more than 60 global product development partnerships that leverage Japanese innovation and capacities in pharmaceuticals. In just three years, the GHIT Fund portfolio is expanding with six of its 23 novel screening programs advancing into next stage of development; two candidates successfully achieving first-in-human trials and an innovative antimalarial drug recently achieving Proof of Concept (Phase II). GHIT is on the ground, having already initiated seven clinical trials for novel candidates in high-burden countries.

The GOJ announcement today will not only allow this innovative work to continue, but will enable GHIT to expand its global development partnerships and its reach around the world. On the health agenda of this year’s G7 Summit in Japan are antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and R&D for infectious disease such as NTDs. Aligned with these goals, GHIT drives forward product development of new technologies to eliminate NTDs and, with over half of its investments targeting resistance in malaria and tuberculosis, is also committed to the fight against AMR.

“Since our initial commitment three years ago, GHIT has made incredible progress in leveraging Japan’s vast cutting-edge science and technology know-how for game-changing tools that have the potential to one day save millions of lives across the globe,” said Dr. Eiji Hinoshita, Director, Global Health Policy Division, International Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “With today’s announcement, we are incredibly proud to be able to support the continued advancement of these innovations, which, with their rapid advancement through the pipeline, are already poised to make real our vision of a healthier world.”…