During the last decade, higher investments in research addressing the health needs of poor and marginalized populations have resulted in scientific advances that have provided unprecedented opportunities to develop effective and affordable tools to tackle the world’s most pressing global health problems. Nevertheless, there is still a huge need for new tools to diagnose, prevent and treat poverty-related and neglected diseases (PRNDs). The discovery of, for example, new drugs or a vaccine for HIV/AIDS or malaria, more effective diagnostics for tuberculosis (TB), and better treatments for leishmaniasis or sleeping sickness would greatly improve health in the developing world.

These diseases, which are primarily endemic in the developing world, may provide limited market incentives for the pharmaceutical industry. As a result, research and development for appropriate preventive, diagnostic, and treatment tools are lacking. When market forces alone do not lead to the development of sufficient, affordable, and appropriate new technologies and tools for these diseases, public support and global solidarity are needed to fill the gap. In this context, the European Union (EU) has a major role to play.

Through the EACH R&D coalition, Global Health Advocates raises awareness about the importance of prioritising global health research and development within EU policies and ensures that EU commitments in this domain are fulfilled. In particular, GHA has carried out crucial advocacy work on the current EU Research Framework Programme (Horizon 2020), the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP II) and the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI2).