On April 18, 2024, Dr. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid, and Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah, Director of ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases (ANRS MIE), solidified their partnership by signing a strategic collaboration framework. This alliance aims to expedite the translation of scientific breakthroughs into tangible health solutions, with a focus on safeguarding vulnerable populations from infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries. The signing ceremony took place at the research and coordination center within Yaoundé Central Hospital, the hosting institution for ANRS MIE’s partner site in Cameroon.
This strengthened strategic partnership between Unitaid and ANRS MIE underscores their mutual dedication to overcoming global health challenges. By pooling their resources and expertise, the two organizations are confident in their ability to expedite access to vital health products, thus advancing the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ANRS MIE, as an autonomous agency of Inserm, plays a pivotal role in spearheading and financing research aimed at eliminating HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and other emerging infectious diseases. The agency will mobilize its extensive network of researchers and experts to bolster this collective endeavor. Meanwhile, Unitaid focuses on accelerating the introduction and uptake of cutting-edge healthcare innovations. By removing barriers that impede their market entry and scale-up, Unitaid ensures that these transformative products reach those in dire need rapidly and efficiently.
“Unitaid draws on research findings to pinpoint the most promising healthcare products for wide access to those who need them most. Our deepened collaboration with ANRS MIE will enhance our synergy, enabling us to expedite the deployment of the most effective healthcare solutions and ultimately save more lives,” said Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid.
“By combining ANRS MIE’s pioneering research with Unitaid’s pragmatic approach to fast-tracking the adoption of health products, we fortify our stance in advancing the fight against infectious diseases,” said Prof. Yazdan Yazdanpanah, Director of ANRS MIE.
In Cameroon, Unitaid and ANRS MIE have a track record of successful collaboration, notably co-funding the NAMSAL trial (New Antiretroviral and Monitoring Strategies in HIV-infected Adults in Low-income countries). This trial was instrumental in the efforts to optimize antiretroviral treatments, leading to the revision of national and international recommendations by the World Health Organization in 2019. The ANRS MIE partner site in Cameroon played a pivotal role in this research under the coordination of Pr. Eric Delaporte and Dr. Charles Kouanfack. Today, thanks in part to Unitaid’s investments and the insights gained from such studies, over 22 million people across 110 low- and middle-income countries have access to the most effective HIV treatment.
The new partnership agreement between Unitaid and ANRS MIE is aligned with the strategic objectives of both organizations for the period 2023-2027. It will be realized through an action plan outlining joint activities to be undertaken by the two institutions in the coming years.
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About Unitaid:
We save lives by making new health products available and affordable for people in low- and middle-income countries. We work with partners to identify innovative treatments, tests and tools, help tackle the market barriers that are holding them back, and get them to the people who need them most – fast. Since we were created in 2006, we have unlocked access to more than 100 groundbreaking health products to help address the world’s biggest health challenges, including HIV, TB and malaria; women’s and children’s health; and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Every year, these products benefit more than 170 million people. Unitaid is a hosted partnership of the World Health Organization.
For more information: https://unitaid.org
About ANRS MIE :
ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases is an autonomous agency of Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale). Its mission is to facilitate, evaluate, coordinate and fund research into HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
For more information: https://anrs.fr/en
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