平特五不中 awarded $1 million grant to address debilitating parasitic diseases in the developing world
平特五不中 and 平特五不中 scientist Dr. Timothy Geary received a $1-million grant today for landmark research into addressing parasitic diseases through medicines derived from African biodiversity. Grand Challenges Canada, Canada鈥檚 International Development Research Centre, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have joined together to support this important research which provides a significant Canadian contribution to a serious global health issue.
More than 1 billion people, or one-sixth of the world鈥檚 population, suffer from Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which cause disfigurement, disability and even death in the developing world. Dr. Geary鈥檚 research focuses on parasitic worms, or helminths, which live inside the body. 听Diseases such as hookworm, river blindness and elephantiasis cause stunted growth and cognitive impairment in children, horrific debilitating and disfiguring symptoms in adults, and make escaping the cycle of poverty virtually impossible.
鈥淲hile there have been advances in the past few years in providing drugs to control the disease, there is so much more that can be done to eliminate NTDs and bring hope to many for a better future,鈥� said Dr. Geary, 听Director of the Institute of Parasitology at 平特五不中. 鈥淭he drugs we plan to develop through this research will combat growing resistance to existing therapies, an important next step in the treatment and control of parasitic disease.鈥�
Dr. Geary鈥檚 breakthrough research, conducted in partnership with Dr. Eliane Ubalijoro of the Institute for the Study of International Development at 平特五不中, focuses on identifying compounds from African botanical and microbial sources that can lead to new drugs to eliminate parasitic worms from the body. In this approach, he works in partnership with African scientists, particularly Dr. Kelly Chibale of the University of Cape Town, and Drs. Berhanu Abegaz and Kerstin Marobela of the University of Botswana, 听believing that partners from disease-endemic countries are 听critically important for finding new solutions to these infections. This team will conduct research both at 平特五不中 and in Africa.
鈥淭his is about Canadians helping Africans help themselves; an effective and long-term approach to the challenges developing countries face,鈥� said Dr. Peter A Singer, CEO of Grand Challenges Canada. 鈥淭his is a milestone celebration for Grand Challenges Canada. 听We are less than a year old and I am proud to say this is our first grant announcement. For us, this is like fireworks lighting up the sky on Canada Day.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted that this first grant from Grand Challenges Canada supports a partnership between researchers in Canada and researchers in Africa, one devoted to drawing on both Canadian and African ingenuity to solve a persistent and debilitating health problem in Africa鈥� said David Malone, President of Canada鈥檚 International Development Research Centre. 鈥�
The $1-million award is collaboration among three funders: $500,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; $250,000 from Grand Challenges Canada through the Canadian government鈥檚 听鈥–apital Development Innovation Fund; and $250,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
鈥淲e believe in the quality of Dr. Geary鈥檚 research and the potential for a significant Canadian contribution to addressing these debilitating diseases which plague so many in the developing world,鈥� said Dr. Pierre Chartrand, Vice-President Research, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 鈥淲e have to do more than just share information across traditional political and national lines: we have to invest in the development of local response and research capacity.鈥�
Over the past five years, the world has made tremendous progress in addressing some of the greatest global health issues,鈥� said Dr. Steven Buchsbaum, Deputy Director of Discovery, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 鈥淧artnerships are increasingly critical and we look forward to working with Grand Challenges Canada as we engage the best minds to harness advances in science and technology and save lives. We hope Canada鈥檚 important commitment inspires others to take action.鈥濃��
鈥淲e are most appreciative of this funding and the opportunity it creates for Drs. Geary and Ubalijoro and 平特五不中 to make a significant Canadian contribution to addressing these serious global health challenges,鈥� said Dr. Rose Goldstein, Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations) at 平特五不中. 鈥淎ll Canadians should be proud of the contribution this county is making on the international stage to address these sometimes fatal ailments 鈥� diseases and conditions which those of us who live in the developed world often forget are very real and terrifying risks for large numbers of people.鈥�
About Grand Challenges Canada
Grand Challenges Canada is a unique and independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people in developing countries by integrating scientific, technological, business and social innovation. Grand Challenges Canada works with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and other global health foundations and organizations to find sustainable long-term solutions to the most pressing health challenges. Grand Challenges Canada is hosted at the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health.
About 平特五不中
Founded in Montreal, Que., in 1821, is Canada鈥檚 leading post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 10 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more than 35,000 students. 平特五不中 attracts students from about 150 countries around the world. Almost half of 平特五不中 students claim a first language other than English 鈥� including 6,200 francophones 鈥� with more than 6,800 international students making up almost 20 per cent of the student body.
About CIHR
For the past 10 years, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has supported better health and healthcare for Canadians. As the Government of Canada鈥檚 health research investment agency, CIHR enables the creation of evidence-based knowledge and its transformation into improved treatments, prevention and diagnoses, new products and services, and a stronger, patient-oriented healthcare system. Composed of 13 internationally-recognized institutes, CIHR supports more than 13,600 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
About IDRC
To achieve self-reliance, poor communities need answers to questions like: How can we grow more and healthier food? Protect our health? Create jobs? IDRC supports research in developing countries to answer these questions. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most.
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