Leading health experts voice their support for the introduction of an EU priority review programme

Leading health experts voice their support for the introduction of an EU priority review programme

(IN BRIEF) The global health NGO Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) is calling on the European Union (EU) to establish a priority review program aimed at encouraging investment in research and innovation (R&I) to combat poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases. Over two billion people worldwide are affected by such diseases, and DSW argues that a priority review program is essential to support the development and deployment of new tools to address this global health challenge. Key figures in global health, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and organizations like IAVI and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), support the initiative, believing it would enhance their efforts to bring life-saving products to market and attract investment in innovative approaches. The introduction of such a program would strengthen Europe’s role in global health and complement existing investments in breakthrough technologies.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRUSSELS, 15-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The global health NGO Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) is urging the European Union to introduce a priority review programme to incentivise investment in research and innovation (R&I) to deliver new tools to fight poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases. 

Lisa Goerlitz, Head of the Brussels Office at DSW added; “Over two billion people worldwide continue to be affected by neglected infectious diseases. Without incentives such as a priority review programme, the promising candidates currently in the pipeline face an almost insurmountable battle to reach the populations that urgently need them”. 

Incentivising R&I in areas of unmet medical need is a complex endeavour and one that the EU is currently trying to address in revising its pharmaceutical legislation. This revision however overlooks the global dimension, with the proposed legislative text diluting existing commitments to strengthen R&I efforts for tropical diseases. 

Professor John Reeder, Director of TDR at the World Health Organization shared; “An EU priority review programme for neglected infectious diseases would bring hope and health to those who need it most by harnessing the contributions of other EU-led initiatives such as the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)”. 

Other key figures in global health echo this support. Hester Kuipers, Executive Director, Europe at IAVI, a nonprofit scientific research organisation that develops vaccines and antibodies for HIV, TB as well as other infectious diseases remarked, “An EU priority review programme would significantly enhance our ability to bring life-saving products to market and attract investment in our work to address complex scientific challenges that can spur the development of innovative vaccine and antibody approaches.” 

David Reddy, CEO of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), also offered strong backing; “This forward-thinking initiative has the potential to transform the development landscape for poverty-related and neglected diseases. MMV firmly believes in collaboration to address these global burdens, and a priority review programme would foster invaluable partnerships to drive progress.” 

The introduction of a priority review programme in the EU would further consolidate Europe’s leading role in global health; complimenting existing investments to deliver breakthrough technologies with the potential to save and improve countless lives. 

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For enquiries, please contact Giuseppe Martone at Giuseppe.Martone@dsw.org 

● For more information about the EU priority review programme proposal, visit; https://www.dsw.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/DSW_Introducing_PRV_EU_digital.pdf

● For more information about the WHO TDR programme, visit; https://tdr.who.int/

● For more information about IAVI, visit: https://www.iavi.org/

● For more information about MMV, visit: https://www.mmv.org/

● For more information about EDCTP, visit: https://www.edctp.org/

SOURCE: Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW)