Finding cures or treatments for neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and tuberculosis to end or reduce the suffering of millions of people is a goal of many institutions and companies.

In the past few years, many partnerships have been developed between non-profit and academic researchers and companies to work on research and development for neglected tropical diseases. Yet there are many more researchers and projects that could benefit from the intellectual property and knowledge of biopharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and universities.

WIPO Re:Search is a way to accelerate product development for neglected tropical diseases.

WIPO Re:Search provides access to intellectual property including pharmaceutical compounds, technologies, and — most importantly — know-how, data, and other resources for research and development for neglected tropical diseases, tuberculosis, and malaria. By providing a searchable, public database of available intellectual property assets, as well as other expertise, information, and resources, WIPO Re:Search facilitates new partnerships between organizations that conduct research on drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for these debilitating diseases.

Launched in October, 2011, WIPO Re:Search is an initiative led by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in partnership with BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) and its members including some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and research organizations. This consortium of companies, research institutions, government, and non-governmental organizations have come together to make their intellectual property , know-how and expertise available to scientists studying neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and tuberculosis. The sharing of intellectual property and other resources developed by these organizations can be a driving force for innovation in the search for new treatments for these devastating neglected diseases. 

Watch the WIPO Re:Search launch event — featuring WHO Director General Margaret Chan, ambassadors from Tanzania and Kenya, AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan and many others — that took place at WIPO's Geneva headquarters on October 26, 2011.