Press Release November 2006

Directorate General for International Cooperation/Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) invests €8,000,000 in the global effort to control malaria. This is in addition to the almost €11,000,000 previously pledged to EMVI.

In the fight to control the ever worsening disease burden caused by malaria, vaccines hold the best prospects for reversing the current disastrous trend.

Vaccines are at the centre of public health, especially in resource constraint areas of the world, and are of particular benefit to the poorest segments of society.

The grant to EMVI is part of DGIS' Public-Private Partnership Programme for Research into the Development of Vaccines, Medicines and Diagnostics fighting the poverty related diseases, AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, 2006 - 2009.

The grant will enable EMVI to accelerate and expand clinical development of two of the most promising vaccine candidates. It will also foster collaborative efforts between institutions and scientists from the North and South involved in malaria vaccine development. Developing Countries will be empowered to acquire a role in these R&D partnerships.

EMVI is committed to contributing to the global fight against malaria, and thereby the alleviation of poverty.