Funding for Equitable Infectious Disease Research and Development

Research and development (R&D) are critical to develop effective solutions to address the prevention, control, elimination, and even eradication of infectious diseases globally. Financing global health and infectious diseases research is complex. It involves diverse and overlapping sources of funding; multiple recipients and mechanisms of funding; limited coordination, and lack of comprehensive data and impact assessment. Public funding for neglected diseases mainly comes from high income governments and multilateral organizations. Domestic contribution by most LMICs governments to R&D remains low and reliant on external funding from HICs. As a result, funding priorities may not always be aligned to country priorities. Funding for research and development of infectious diseases has largely focused on HIV, TB and malaria, however with the pandemic, there is increasing focus on pandemic preparedness and response, and platform technologies for vaccine delivery and general diagnostics. Several initiatives have been developed over the years to address gaps in the research funding landscape such as establishment of public private partnerships including product development partnerships. Shifting disease burdens and demographic changes, re-emergence and emergence of epidemic prone diseases in the face of climate change and a high globalized world, is impacting current and future approaches to infectious disease research and thus the funding priorities. Advancements have been made in establishing research institutions especially in LMICs in collaboration with HICs partners. However systemic challenges persist at institutional, political and global level limiting the growth of research and development especially in LMICs. Addressing these challenges at domestic level will require governments to take on greater responsibility towards investments in research, while leveraging external partnerships to strengthen and sustain relevant research and development that meets country and global needs.