Global Funding of Innovation for Neglected Diseases (G-FINDER) database open to public
Today, the G-FINDER team launched a landmark database that gives the public direct access to searchable data on global research and development (R&D) funding for over thirty neglected diseases.
Global Funding of Innovation for Neglected Diseases (G-FINDER) is an annual survey of global neglected disease R&D expenditure conducted by the Health Policy Division of the George Institute for Global Health, and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This new search tool provides the public with unprecedented access to the G-FINDER data at a level of detail far beyond that in the published G-FINDER annual reports.
The G-FINDER survey provides comprehensive data to help funders and product developers better understand where funding gaps lie and how their investments fit into the global picture. In 2008, 208 organisations from 44 countries participated in the G-FINDER survey.
"Already with its second edition the G-FINDER report has established itself as a key resource for all those interested in R&D for neglected diseases. Not only does it accurately reflect all the entities contributing resources to neglected diseases R&D thereby correcting misconceptions, but it can also be used as a valuable guide to find appropriate partners for collaborations in fields of common interest. We hope this initiative will be continued until there are no more neglected diseases", said Professor Paul L Herrling, Head of Corporate Research at Novartis International.
The public can search the G-FINDER database using a wide range of criteria including by disease, by organisation, by country and many more. Searches can be constructed using up to four criteria and the results can be exported to Excel for further analysis and manipulation.
By increasing knowledge-sharing and openness, this database aims to increase G-FINDER's value to the public health community and to further contribute to informed decision-making in the field of global health.
According to Dr A E Bianco, Director of Technology Transfer at The Wellcome Trust, “The G-FINDER report provides a compass by which to navigate the complex world of neglected disease funding. It should be on the reading list of every funder – and, even more important, every policy advisor to governments that have yet to come forward in support of the cause to reduce the dreadful burden of neglected diseases”.