Press Releases

1. On Friday, May 20, the Government of Japan decided to make 130 million US dollars contributions for the purpose of promoting research and development of new drugs against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by GHIT and supply preparation and support of drugs for NTDs by the United Nations Development Programme.

2. Research and development of new drugs for treatment of NTDs in developing countries is lagging because of factors such as the low prevalence in developed countries. The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund is public-private partnership (PPP) established in 2013 in order to address such challenges by utilizing the advanced drug development technology possessed by Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutions, and universities. The GHIT has invested in projects for research and development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for NTD, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

3. This year, Japan assumes Presidency of the G7 Summit meeting, which is the first one held after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ending NTDs by 2030 is an international target and Japan will focus on health, including the promotion of R&D for NTDs, as a priority agenda of SDGs at the Ise-Shima Summit. With the announcement made by the GOJ today, it is expected that the private sector will make appropriate contribution to the fund, and that efforts for addressing infectious diseases in developing countries will be further promoted.