New report shows $100 million shortfall in research and development

A new report on the state of funding of malaria research and development (R&D) globally shows that funding for basic research and product development falls short of the need.

“Right now, annual investments in basic malaria research and product development are about $100 million less than what is required”, said David C. Kaslow, MD, Vice President of Essential Medicines at PATH. “We see evidence of this shortfall across malaria R&D. In addition to that gap, however, we now face a ‘second valley of death’—not enough resources to move products through development, all the way to impact.”

This lack of funding for R&D has a direct impact on elimination targets, without this vital research, products can’t move into the public domain to treat and protect those who are most vulnerable and indeed, entire communities from malaria.

Why do we need research and development?

After years of fighting one of the world’s deadliest diseases we know that to defeat malaria once and for all we need to invest time, money and resource into four key areas: funding, leadership, data and research and development. Without a staunch combination of these elements, it will be a fight we won’t win. You can check out our blog and the Malaria No More UK Exposure channel to find out more.

Research and development covers a whole host of areas that must be explored and scrutinised prior to any kind of mass use of treatments, services or products.

For example, white mosquito nets were distributed to communities where white represented death - ultimately, no one wanted to use the nets. This type of user research is invaluable to product developers and researchers working in unfamiliar territories.

You can find out more about how we're fighting malaria by subscribing to the Malaria No More UK Exposure channel.