New report highlights the impact of global health R&D for neglected diseases

29 May 2024
News release
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Policy Cures Research has just launched a new report on the impact of global health R&D for neglected diseases and emerging infectious diseases. This report applied the Portfolio-To-Impact R&D modelling tool developed by TDR.

Key findings of the report include:

  • Millions of lives saved: Between 2000 and 2040, at least 40.7m lives will be saved, and 2.83bn DALYs averted, thanks to biomedical products for poverty-related neglected diseases. Most of these lives will be saved in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) whose populations are most affected by these diseases
  • High societal return: Every $1 invested in neglected disease R&D generates a return of $405.
  • Trillions of economic and societal benefits: Averting 2.83bn DALYs generates $49.7tn in net societal benefit.
  • Many gains are still to come: More than 70% of the health and economic impact is projected to occur between now and 2040. If this benefit is to be realised, there must be sufficient ongoing investment in R&
  • Successful product and candidate development: 183 products targeting neglected diseases have been approved by a regulatory agency or prequalified by the WHO since 1999. Moreover, there are 752 active candidates in the neglected disease pipeline from which sustained investment is projected to deliver another 182 lifesaving products by the year 2040.
This report highlights just how valuable it is to continue to focus our efforts on developing new treatments for neglected diseases and, through implementation research, ensure those products reach those who need them most,” said TDR Director John Reeder.

For more information, please contact Rob Terry, TDR