Innovation for health Research that makes a difference TDR biennial report | 2010-2011 Innovation for health Research that makes a difference TDR biennial report | 2010-2011 WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Innovation for health: research that makes a difference: TDR biennial report 2010-2011. 1.Tropical medicine. 2.Research. 3.Program evaluation. 4.Strategic planning. 5.Annual reports. I.UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. ISBN 978 92 4 150356 3 (NLM classification: WC 680) Copyright © World Health Organization on behalf of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases 2012 All rights reserved. The use of content from this health information product for all non-commercial education, training and information purposes is encouraged, including transla- tion, quotation and reproduction, in any medium, but the content must not be changed and full acknowledgement of the source must be clearly stated. 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The designations employed and the presentation of material in this health infor- Compiled and edited by Jamie Guth mation product, including maps and other illustrative materials, do not imply the Design and layout: Lisa Schwarb, Bruno Duret expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WHO, including TDR, the au- thors or any parties cooperating in the production, concerning the legal status of Writing: Jamie Guth, Mahnaz Vahedi, Bernard Dichet, Patrick Adams any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delinea- Picture credits: pages cover, 4, 10, 14, 21, 29, WHO/TDR/Craggs; tion of frontiers and borders. 6, Yves Leresche; 7, Die Projektoren/DSW; 8, Lucina Schmich; 13, WHO/TDR/ Matlashewski; 15, WHO/TDR/Stammers, WHO/TDR/Crump; Mention or depiction of any specific product or commercial enterprise does not 16-19, Bernard Dichek; 27, Olivier Asselin; 30-31, Brenda Okech; imply endorsement or recommendation by WHO, including TDR, the authors or 32-33, Wilfried Mutombo; 35, Paul Hahn; 37, WHO/TDR/Pagnoni; any parties cooperating in the production, in preference to others of a similar na- 38, WHO/TDR/Schwarb. ture not mentioned or depicted. This report represents the combined efforts of many TDR staff, all of whom are Printed in France. thanked for their invaluable input, comments and support. Contents PART I Foreword by Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, TDR Special Programme Coordinator and Assistant Director-General – Innovation, Information, Evidence and Research, World Health Organization .............. 6 Message from Dr Sue Kinn, Chair of the TDR Joint Coordinating Board .......................................................... 7 Introduction by Dr John Reeder, TDR Director ................................................................................................... 8 PART II Key research achievements ............................................................................................................................. 12 A tale of three villages – A new approach bringing together malaria and pneumonia treatment by community volunteers that could reduce childhood deaths in Africa ...................................................... 16 Ongoing progress ................................................................................................................................................. 20 Stewardship and empowerment ................................................................................................................... 26 Strengthening research capacity where it’s needed most – A profile of the TDR Career Development Fellowship Programme ...................................................................................... 30 Partnerships ........................................................................................................................................................... 34 PART III Key publications and resources .............................................................................................................................. 38 TDR governance and management ........................................................................................................................ 42 STAC membership ..................................................................................................................................................... 45 TDR performance overview for the biennium 2010-2011 .................................................................................. 47 Financial summary .................................................................................................................................................... 50 TDR biennial report | 2010-2011 3 4 PART I Foreword Message Introduction TDR biennial report | 2010–2011 5 Foreword by Dr Marie-Paule Kieny TDR Special Programme Coordinator and Assistant Director-General – Innovation, Information, Evidence and Research, World Health Organization I have worked very closely with TDR’s governing bodies, its senior staff, and most recently, with the new director, John Reeder, to identify and develop new structures that will support the changes. While this has been a challenging time, I also believe it has provided valuable opportunities to try new methods and approaches. TDR has been in transition, but is coming out stronger, leaner, and with a clearer focus on some key areas. I would like to point out that even during this transition, TDR has achieved some impressive results, particularly in the areas of reducing bottlenecks to getting valuable medications and diagnostics to people living in poor, remote areas. This evidence has helped WHO develop new policies that will improve critical services in diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, dengue and visceral leishmaniasis, This has been an extraordinary two years for TDR, as well as improving healthcare systems. and for me. I became the Assistant Director-General of Innovation, Information, Evidence and Research We are now developing a new strategy that will continue in 2010, which also brings the responsibility of being this tradition of success, albeit in new and innovative TDR’s Special Programme Coordinator. During this ways. This work will provide benefits for people today, time, there has been a great deal of valuable analysis and such as improving the management of African children’s reorganization both at TDR and throughout WHO. The fever – a major killer, and for the next generation as we world is changing and we are looking at new ways to continually expand and improve the local capacity to drive innovation and bring greater access to health care conduct research in the countries where these diseases to those who need it most. cause such a burden. 6 PART I Message from Dr Sue Kinn Chair of the TDR Joint Coordinating Board TDR is a key player and partner for health research on diseases of poverty. Winning the 2011 Gates Award for Global Health lays ample testimony to TDR’s significant record of achievements and the confidence of the global health research community in the continued relevance and importance of TDR. The past two years have been a challenging time for TDR. It became clear that the six year business plan (2008-2013) which foresaw a rapid and continuous growth was too ambitious and needed to be revised. At the beginning of 2011, TDR initiated a reorganization and thorough review of its portfolio of activities. TDR’s governing bodies, the Joint Coordinating Board (JCB), the Standing Committee and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee have been actively engaged in the process. I am confident that under the leadership of its new Director, Dr John Reeder, TDR will emerge from this process as a more streamlined Programme focusing on the needs of people afflicted by the diseases of poverty and making sure that the knowledge generated by research is translated into practical health outcomes. TDR has shown itself to be highly adaptable and responsive in the past. With the ongoing support and advice from its partners and stakeholders, such responsiveness will ensure TDR’s continued success and relevance for research on diseases of poverty. TDR biennial report | 2010-2011 7 Introduction by Dr John Reeder TDR Director I am very pleased to be here at TDR. I came at the beginning of the new biennium to find some remarkable successes achieved over the last two years, that you can read about in this report. What I would like to share with you is where TDR is headed. TDR has always stood on solid values – investment in capacity and leadership, driving the science through engagement with people in country, conducting research that meets identified needs – that is its strength. I want to build on this and bring forward into the next stage of TDR a focus on the people and institutions in the countries where these diseases create so many problems.