Geneva/Seoul – Unitaid and Republic of Korea’s Research Investment for Global Health Technology (RIGHT) Foundation signed a strategic framework for collaboration today, formalizing a strengthened partnership aimed at improving access to essential health innovations in low- and middle-income countries. This partnership leverages the RIGHT Foundation’s expertise in early-stage health product development and Unitaid’s leadership in accelerating access to affordable, quality-assured health products for countries that need them most.

Signed in Seoul at the closing session of the 2024 World Bio Summit, the agreement outlines key areas of collaboration to address public health challenges such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Together, Unitaid and the RIGHT Foundation will support innovative health technologies, optimize market access strategies and work closely with partners to deliver solutions that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are excited to join forces with the RIGHT Foundation to create a comprehensive pathway for innovation – from research and development to the adoption and scale-up of lifesaving health tools,” said Dr. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid. “This partnership allows us to combine our strengths to address global health needs effectively and equitably, working alongside Korean industry and drawing on Korea’s leadership and expertise in health innovation.”

“This strategic collaboration will enhance our shared vision of equitable health access by utilizing South Korea’s expertise in health technology and manufacturing. Together with Unitaid, we will create opportunities for collaboration across borders, bringing essential health products to communities most in need,” said Hani Kim, Executive Director of the RIGHT Foundation.

The focus of the Unitaid-RIGHT Foundation collaboration will foster:

• A pathway for innovation: Supporting the development and scaling of health products, such as diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines, designed for use in low- and middle-income countries to ensure affordability and accessibility.
• Strategic partnerships: Coordinating with civil society, in-country stakeholders, and global partners to build a seamless continuum from research to public access.
• Knowledge sharing: Establishing a systematic exchange of information and best practices to maximize impact and prevent duplication of efforts.

Building on the RIGHT Foundation’s robust research and development capabilities in Korea and Unitaid’s market-shaping expertise, this framework for collaboration represents a pivotal step in harnessing Korean innovation to address health equity. By drawing on Korea’s strengths in biotechnology and health care, this partnership aims to ensure that low- and middle-income countries gain access to essential health innovations. The collaboration not only supports equitable access but also strengthens the global health ecosystem, extending Korea’s leadership and impact across countries and sectors.

This partnership represents the latest in Unitaid’s ongoing efforts to work with organizations worldwide to unlock access to crucial health technologies for those who need them most.

About Unitaid

Unitaid saves lives by making new health products affordable and available in low- and middle-income countries. Collaborating with partners, Unitaid identifies innovative treatments, tackles market barriers, and quickly delivers solutions to those in need. Since 2006, Unitaid has unlocked over 100 health products, addressing HIV, TB, malaria, women’s and children’s health, and pandemic preparedness. Every year, these products benefit more than 300 million people. Unitaid is a hosted partnership of the World Health Organization.

About RIGHT Foundation

The Research Investment for Global Health Technology (RIGHT) Foundation is a public-private partnership in the Republic of Korea, funded by the Korean government, Korean life science companies, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. RIGHT Foundation supports global health research and development, working to accelerate essential health technologies that improve health equity worldwide.