GHIT Fund Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) to Strengthen Partnership

The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (hereinafter "GHIT Fund") and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (hereinafter "TSRI") have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership. The agreement aims to create opportunities for co-funding research and development targeting malaria, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and diseases with pandemic potential.

The GHIT Fund invests (provides grants) in the research and development of therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics for infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and NTDs that threaten the health of people in low- and middle-income countries. Since its establishment in 2013, it has promoted R&D and product development in the global health sector, with over 140 cumulative investments totaling more than 40 billion yen. Meanwhile, TSRI is a government agency under Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. It is responsible for formulating national plans and policies for Science, Research, and Innovation (SRI) in Thailand and promoting research and innovation by allocating SRI budgets (Thailand RISE Fund) to government agencies, universities, research institutes, and other organizations in line with national strategies.

By strengthening the partnership between the two organizations, TSRI will expand opportunities for additional financial support for research institutions in Thailand—such as universities, laboratories, and companies—invested in by the GHIT Fund, as well as for domestic and international R&D partners (including those from Japan) conducting research and development in Thailand. Thailand has a long track record and world-leading research institutions in the fields of parasitology and infectious diseases, including malaria and NTDs. This collaboration is expected to go beyond mere funding; by pooling the expertise of both countries, it aims to accelerate and advance R&D, contributing to the resolution of global challenges. The areas of collaboration are as follows:

Key Areas of Collaboration Through Strengthened Partnership 1) Creating opportunities for co-funding research and development projects conducted in Thailand or by Thai research institutions to promote the development of therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics for infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and NTDs. 2) Revitalizing research and technological innovation in Thailand and Japan to further promote R&D in the field of infectious diseases, including NTDs. 3) Promoting the sharing of expertise and knowledge regarding infectious diseases such as NTDs through workshops and personnel exchanges.

Moving forward, the GHIT Fund will continue to act as a bridge connecting pharmaceutical companies, universities, and research institutions in Japan and abroad, promoting the expansion and strengthening of partnerships to accelerate product development for malaria, tuberculosis, and NTDs.

About GHIT Fund Co-investment: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/coinvestment/jp

*1 The GHIT Fund uses the term "investment" to describe its "grants" for product development projects. Rather than simply providing funding, the fund engages in active progress management and employs rigorous portfolio management, such as immediately terminating projects that do not show promise. This differs from the commonly used meaning of "investment" aimed at financial profit.

[About Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI)] Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) aims to promote, support, and develop the national system for research and innovation in science and technology, social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary fields. Through this, it seeks to advance the accumulation of knowledge and the formulation of public policy, utilizing the results of research and innovation for the economy and society to achieve balanced and sustainable development. https://www.tsri.or.th

[About the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund)] The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) is an international public-private partnership involving the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), private companies including pharmaceutical firms, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme. It invests in the development of new drugs to combat infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and NTDs that threaten the health of the world's poorest populations. To develop therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics, the GHIT Fund promotes the participation of Japanese pharmaceutical companies, universities, and research institutions in product development, as well as collaboration with overseas organizations. For more information, please visit https://www.ghitfund.org/jp.