The GeneXpert diagnostic testing technology from the US corporation Cepheid, and its parent company Danaher, has revolutionised rapid, accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases, since entering the market in 2010. Yet, due to the high cost of the GeneXpert test cartridges, many countries are not able to scale up testing for all people who need lifesaving diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Anti-microbial resistance, emerging infectious diseases, and neglected diseases are all important public health concerns and priorities with serious market failures, deficits, and identified needs in biomedical innovation.
It is important to reconcile, rather than fragment, the needs of these three priority areas by considering an umbrella framework for specifically financing and coordinating research and development (R&D) that delivers innovation while securing patient access.
A sizeable, sustainably financed global R&D fund and mechanism that promotes coordination, collaboration, and utilization of new and innovative incentives should be set up to cover all three priority areas.