Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Pharmaceuticals
March 19, 2015

The Union and Otsuka Open Nominations for 2nd Global TB Research & Innovation Award

  • In its second year, the annual program recognizes young leaders in TB research and furthers a global health partnership committed to fighting TB in high-burden regions.
  • Honorees will receive grant to attend an international training in TB clinical management and attend the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa.
  • The deadline for applications is 24 May, 2015. To learn more about the global award, go to www.tbinnovators.org

For the second straight year, in recognition of World TB Day 2015, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and Otsuka announced the call for nominations for the Young Innovator in TB Research Award, aimed at recognizing young scientists who have pursued innovative advancements in tuberculosis (TB) research.

"We're losing speed in the fight against TB," said José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union. "We in the global TB community have committed to a goal of reducing annual TB deaths by 90 percent by 2035. We will never meet this goal unless we inject fresh thinking and truly innovative approaches into the fight against TB. Our partnership with Otsuka on this award allows us to encourage the next generation of researchers who will play a pivotal role in developing new tools and approaches against this disease."

The first Young Innovator in TB Research Award was given last year at the 45th Union World Conference in Barcelona where Dr. Julian Villalba was honored for his research on diagnostic systems in pediatric TB among indigenous communities in his home country of Venezuela.

"Diagnosing TB in children is a significant obstacle for clinicians and the community as a whole has struggled to find a solution. As a recipient of this award, my work has the potential to drive critical advancements in pediatric TB and influence health policy around the world."

The Global Award

The Young Innovator in TB Research Award is open to clinicians and researchers worldwide who have documented significant research achievements in TB control and clinical management. Appropriate candidates will be no more than five years from post-graduation (MPH or PhD) or final medical specialty training. Honorees will receive a full fellowship to attend the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa on 2 - 6 December, 2015, providing a unique opportunity to interact with and discuss their research with leading scholars, advocates and civil society representatives of the global TB community. The winner will also receive a full scholarship to attend an international training course on TB organized by The Union.

"Otsuka has always believed that the fight against TB is one with a unique set of challenges, and because of this, it's critical to identify progressive solutions," said Masuhiro Yoshitake, Executive Operating Officer of Otsuka abd TB Global Project Leader. "Through this award, we further our company philosophy of inspiring others to think outside the box."

The global honoree will be selected by a panel of leading respiratory physicians organized independently by The Union. Nominees will be assessed on:

  • The innovative component of their research as well as its scientific rigor and quality;
  • The extent of the originality and potential impact of their work on TB control and TB-affected communities; and
  • The extent to which the Young Innovator in TB Research Award might contribute to furthering the nominee's work in the fight against TB.
The deadline for applications is 24 May, 2015. To learn more about the global award, go to
www.tbinnovators.org

About TB/MDR-TB

According to the WHO, tuberculosis is one of the three most common infectious diseases. In 2013, an estimated 9 million people became sick with TB, and 1.5 million people died from TB or TB-related causes. Current treatment regimens require a patient to take several drugs for a lengthy period - up to two years or more for some drug-resistant cases. Treatment resistance results from a variety of challenges, including lack of access to health care, slow and/or inadequate diagnostic services and misuse of TB therapies ranging from an inadequate drug supply, poor drug quality or patients' inability to complete their treatment regimens. Twenty-seven countries around the world account for 83 percent of the MDR-TB burden.*

About The Union

For nearly 100 years, The Union has drawn from the best scientific evidence and the skills, expertise and reach of its staff, consultants and membership in order to advance solutions to the most pressing public health challenges affecting people living in poverty around the world. With nearly 17,000 members and subscribers from 156 countries, The Union has its headquarters in Paris and regional offices in Africa, the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America and South-East Asia. The Union's scientific departments focus on tuberculosis and HIV, lung health and non-communicable diseases, tobacco control and operational research. For more information, please visit
www.theunion.org