South Africa first government to use the Pool for Open Innovation to stimulate neglected disease drug R&D

South Africa's Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) yesterday became the first government agency to join in the Pool for Open Innovation against Neglected Tropical Diseases, which was established in February 2009. The TIA intends to use intellectual property and know-how from the pool to accelerate its efforts to grow the South African biotechnology sector and enhance the quality of life of those affected by neglected tropical diseases. Initially, the TIA will focus on developing new medicines for tuberculosis and malaria.

The TIA's mission is to enhance South Africa's global competitiveness and to deliver socioeconomic value through technological innovation across all sectors of its economy. This mission requires that the organization finds partners that can help bridge the innovation chasm in South Africa. Joining the Pool for Open Innovation gives scientists and the biopharma industry in the country the opportunity to be associated with world-renowned players in the drug discovery and development field and to create new medicines that will save lives in South Africa and across the world. Participating in the pool will give South African researchers access to a greater pool of patents and know-how, which will also benefit the South African National System of Innovation.

GSK and Alnylam have contributed to the pool