UNITAID seeks innovative HIV, TB and malaria proposals

UNITAID is inviting letters of intent (LOI), or short conceptual presentations of a proposed project, on the topic of improving access to key preventive, diagnostic and treatment commodities for HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria through market-based approaches.  UNITAID works to negotiate low pricing for diagnostics and medication for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries and is funded primarily by an airline levy in participating countries.

For TB proposals in particular, UNITAID is interested in those that aim to:

• Improve diagnostic tools for MDR-TB, primarily through price reductions of GeneXpert MTB/RIF rapid TB diagnostic and developing linkages between new diagnostics and medicines markets.
• Develop quality assurance and delivery mechanisms for first line anti-TB drugs to improve standards and regulation, get rid of poor quality drugs, and prevent country supply shortages. 
• Increase affordability and accessibility to second-line anti-TB drugs by reinforcing supply chain management and increasing diagnostics to drive demand. 
• Address pediatric TB pharmaceuticals and diagnostics through developing a fixed-dose combination drug for children, new diagnostics for pediatric TB, and improving the supply of currently available medication.

The deadline for submission of LOI is May 22, 2012. For further information, contact UNITAID via email.

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