Neglected Disease Research Funding

Novartis to boost funding for neglected diseases.
Bloomberg News (1/22, Bennett) reported, "Novartis AG wants to raise about $1 billion annually for 10 years to fund development of drugs against neglected illnesses including guinea-worm disease, malaria...tuberculosis," and "sleeping sickness, a malady spread by flies in Africa that can cause psychiatric disorders, seizures and death." Nearly "one billion people worldwide suffer from neglected diseases," but "between 1975 and 2004, only 1.3 percent of the 1,556 drugs approved were developed specifically for overlooked diseases." However, Paul Herrling, head of corporate research, said, "The Fund for Research and Development in Neglected Diseases would grant money to companies researching promising drugs against 10 neglected diseases."