Appeal launched to step up research and development for neglected diseases

A number of Nobel laureates, researchers, doctors, and non-governmental organisations joined the independent foundation Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative last week. This appeals for the development of drugs, diagnostic tests, and vaccines for diseases which mainly affect people in developing countries, and which have therefore been neglected by the pharmaceutical industry.

The appeal was launched simultaneously in London, New Delhi, Nairobi, and Rio de Janeiro and was supported by Médecins Sans Frontières and Oxfam. The launch was exactly one …