PRIs for Global Health

The rubric for starting a company is that good management can make up for weak technology, but nothing can over come a shortage of funding.  With the (few) global health startups attracting experienced biotech executives (e.g., Una Ryan at Diagnostics for All [DFA] and Andrew Schiermeier at Medicines in Need [MEND]) and a surfeit of [...]

Is there a Bottom Line Behind the Headline?

Recently, the Welcome Trust, the British giant philanthropy, and Merck and Co., a leading member of Big Pharma, announced a “first of its kind” joint venture to advance vaccine development for diseases of the low-income countries (September 17, 2009, Merck press release).  While the venture’s objectives and funding are commendable, after a closer look for [...]