Research News

The DFID Research Strategy for 2008-13 outlines our approach to increase funding to product development partnerships (PDPs), to develop drugs, vaccines and other technologies for priority diseases.

PDPs offer a model to address the need for new or improved products to combat diseases of the poor for which prevention or treatment is lacking or inadequate or that have become resistant to current treatments. The nature and individuality of PDPs makes a common definition difficult however they do share five defining characteristics:

• Focus on one or more "neglected disease"
• Develop products specifically suited for use in developing countries
• Primary objective is public health rather than a commercial goal
• Use private sector management practices including portfolio management and industrial project management
• Advocate for their own work and often for global attention to their disease(s) of interest

In the period 2005-2008 DFID provided approximately £15.5 million per year between five product development partnerships (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, International Partnership for Microbicides, Medicines for Malaria Venture and the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development).

The increased funding for PDPs will be available in two phases.

• This first phase is a competition for PDPs that already receive DFID funding, to bid for resources for a further five year period. Funding for successful organisations will be available for 5 years starting in 2008.
• The second phase, a competition for PDPs that are not currently funded by DFID, will be launched in December 2008/January 2009. Funding for successful organisations will be available for 5 years starting in 2009.

Exact amounts to be awarded to each PDP will depend on a detailed appraisal of the bids received and assessment against the criteria outlined here.

Organisations wishing to compete for DFID funds should complete form available here, in no more than 22 pages, plus annexes as requested, including an annex of financial projections. You may include references to key documents, articles or websites.

Proposals should be sent to S-Kinn@dfid.gov.uk

An electronic version of your application (in Word format) must be received by 14:00, UK time, on 5 November 2008. Bids received after the due time and date will be returned unopened. All bids should be priced in Sterling.