The World Health Organization issued landmark updates to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment options last year that include recommendations for the use of a novel, all-oral six-month regimen that offers better outcomes with significantly shorter treatment time. The results of the endTB clinical trial offered evidence into additional regimens that, if recommended, could enable effective, shorter MDR-TB treatment for additional populations not currently covered by six-month regimens, such as pregnant women and children.

These advances promise to radically alter outcomes for millions of people. However, new medicines and other tools are often slow to be adopted in the countries that need them most, and even when they do, most people with drug-resistant TB never get diagnosed because access to testing that can accurately identify resistance is limited.

To support rapid implementation of newer, shorter treatment regimens, Unitaid and KNCV are seeking a market access partner with a proven record of developing and executing market strategies to secure adequate, equitable access conditions for vital tools relevant to drug-resistant TB care in low- and middle-income countries.

The partner will work as a sub-grantee in the Unitaid-funded ASCENT project, led by KNCV. The partner will be responsible for mapping health technologies and identifying market inefficiencies that prevent equitable access to shorter MDR-TB regimens, conducting market analysis on an agreed set of screening, treatment and support tools, and designing and implementing a scalable and sustainable access strategy. The partner will work in close collaboration with Unitaid and KNCV, as well as other partners and international donors.

The deadline to submit a proposal is 1st February 2024. Find out more about how to apply here:

• Request for Proposals: Market interventions for critical tools needed for drug-resistant TB care – KNCV – Tuberculosefonds (kncvtbc.org)

On 15 January 2024, Unitaid and KNCV TB Plus hosted a webinar to present the scope and content of the RfP and answer any process-related questions. A recording of the session can be found here: https://youtu.be/dbvlA-WU4-w

Media contacts:

For more information and media requests:

Hervé Verhoosel

Head of Communications and Spokesperson

M: +33 6 22 59 73 54

verhooselh@unitaid.who.int

Kyle Wilkinson,

Communications Officer

+41 79 445 17 45

wilkinsonk@unitaid.who.int