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4 Health Econ. Pol'y & L. 1 (2009)

handle is hein.journals/hecpol4 and id is 1 raw text is: Health Economics, Policy and Law (2009), 4: 1 -10 o Cambridge University Press 2009 doi 10. 1017/S1744133108004702 Editorial Product development partnerships (PDPs) for neglected diseases: considerations on governance CORINNA SORENSON* LSE Health, The London School of Economics and Political Science, UK Neglected diseases (NDs), such as malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, schistosomi- asis, and Chagas disease, result in an estimated 35,000 deaths per day world- wide (DNDi, 2006). They are also associated with a considerable disease and social burden caused by chronic disabilities, disfigurement, reduced productiv- ity, and stigma (WHO, 2007). Indeed, NDs pose a major challenge to the fulfil- ment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), notably in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Despite their social and economic impact, minimal investment has been made to research and develop (R&D) treatments (e.g., vaccines) for NDs, principally because they are not considered a lucrative commercial 'market' (Trouiller et al., 2002; Mrazek and Mossialos, 2003). The absence of R&D means that there are no or few treatments available for NDs, accounting for less than 2% of new drugs marketed during the last 25 years, and many of the limited available treatments are outdated, ineffective, and unsafe (Trouiller et al., 2002; Yamey, 2002). While various 'push' and 'pull' mechanisms (e.g., tax credits, advanced purchase commitments) have been put forth to spur the devel- opment of new technologies and better align the social and financial incentives required to meet this aim, they have been somewhat ineffective, underused, or not sufficiently pursued (Brogan and Mossialos, 2006; Fehr et al., 2006). One such mechanism, Product Development Partnerships (PDPs), has received considerable traction and support over the last ten years. The rise of PDPs was largely predicated on the recognition that the public (government, non-govern- mental organizations) and private sectors (philanthropic foundations, phar- maceutical companies) are solely unable to garner the resources, technical capacity, and political will required to make significant advances towards improved access to ND treatments. This particular partnership model provided a viable solution to the risk and uncertainty inherent to the drug development process. A recent article by Buckup (2008) argues that PDPs are warranted in *Correspondence to: Corinna Sorenson, LSE Health, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK. Email: C.Sorenson@lse.ac.uk

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