02778nas a2200133 4500000000100000008004100001653003200042653001500074653001800089100001100107245013100118856016500249520223000414 2012 d10aNeglected Tropical Diseases10aInvestment10aBiotechnology1 aGill R00aA call to arms against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): the WHO roadmap and why biotech companies should invest in NTD R&D. uhttp://www.biotechblog.com/2012/05/23/a-call-to-arms-against-neglected-tropical-diseases-ntds-the-who-roadmap-and-why-biotech-companies-should-invest-in-ntd-rd/3 a

In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) implemented a roadmap titled “Accelerating Work to Overcome the Global Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases”, spearheaded by Dr. Lorenzo Savioli, Director, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases; and Dr. Denis Daumerie, Programme Manager, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases [1].  The WHO first addressed neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs, on a broad scale in 2003 and in a massive global partnership in 2007; this roadmap is the next major step towards combating NTDs.  The roadmap is a follow-up to the report filed in 2010 that highlighted the successes and admitted the shortcomings of the current state of WHO-implemented NTD treatment efforts while revealing the potential economic and tactical feasibility of eliminating NTDs with continued support.  This roadmap is in alignment with many of the WHO Millennium Development Goals, which are:

  1. Poverty alleviation
  2. Universal primary education
  3. Promote gender equality and empower women
  4. Reduced child mortality
  5. Improved maternal health
  6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
  7. Ensure environmental sustainability
  8. Develop a global partnership for development [2]

The roadmap also highlights an emerging trend in the global biotechnology field – a shift in focus to NTDs and emerging markets.  The question arises:  what is the potential economic incentive for companies to focus on diseases prevalent in the poorest of nations?