Sometimes it seems as though the researchers working on R&D for neglected diseases of the developing world and the biotech companies whose innovative technologies have revolutionized health care in the developed world are speaking two different languages. For the past seven years, BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) has been trying to do something about that by helping companies in the biotech industry learn the language of neglected diseases. But more needs to be done. Companies want to get involved in global health R&D, but are not sure where their technologies are needed. Rather than talking parasites, pestilence, and plagues, companies talk PCR, biological pathways, and cell mediated immunity. What drug targets or vaccine technologies are relevant to neglected diseases that are also part of the biotech vocabulary for more familiar diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s?

Well, consider this your translation. On Wednesday, BVGH launched its updated Global Health Primer. Through a series of target and technology profiles, the 2011 Global Health Primer directs the biotech reader from familiar drug targets and vaccine technologies associated with developed world diseases to the most relevant neglected diseases. The reader can then go on to learn more about product needs and opportunities through disease specific profiles. With the launch of the new Global Health Primer online interface, our hope is that the biotech and global health communities can use the common language of science to explore innovative solutions to prevent, diagnose, and treat neglected diseases.

In total, the BVGH Global Health Primer contains 15 neglected disease profiles and 12 target/technology profiles. These profiles include 297 products or research programs that are actively being developed by 113 unique organizations. Several large pharmaceutical companies now have global health programs, and interest and awareness of neglected diseases from biotech companies is increasing. However, the majority of new products for neglected diseases that have come to market in the last ten years are for just two diseases: HIV and malaria. Through the Global Health Primer, we hope to drive companies to explore the full spectrum of neglected disease product needs.

The Global Health Primer provides information for action. We hope that biopharmaceutical companies will find the information here to apply their innovative technologies to solving global health problems, and that global health researchers use the Primer to identify new areas or programs relevant to their important work. Together we can save lives in the developing world.

Elizabeth Ponder is Manager, Scientific Affairs, at BIO Ventures for Global Health.
Robert Schendle is Manager, Knowledge Systems, at BIO Ventures for Global Health.