The Guardian: Nobel prize winners point the way in battle against diseases of poverty
John Reeder, director of the WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases; Winnie Mpanju-Shumbusho, WHO assistant director-general for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases; Bernard Pécoul, executive director at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative; David Reddy, CEO of the Medicines for Malaria Venture

“…The discoveries recognized by the 2015 Nobel Prize for medicine are perfect examples of the journey from test tube to bedside, and tell a fascinating geopolitical story of how effective drugs for neglected diseases are discovered, made, and distributed. Importantly, they show what happens when we work together for patients, not just profits. … [T]here are nearly 500 product candidates in the pipeline for neglected diseases, including treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines. Nearly half of these are being developed through public-private ‘product development partnerships.’ … The challenge now is to ensure that scientific and political momentum is not only sustained but expanded and, importantly, coordinated and financed. … Now, more than ever, a globally coordinated response is needed to ensure that great discoveries and innovation reach the bedside of all patients, no matter where they live” (10/30).