Institute for OneWorld Health

The Institute for OneWorld Health (iOWH) is a non-profit pharmaceutical company committed to developing and ensuring access to affordable, novel medicines for people in the developing world. As the first non-profit pharmaceutical company in the United States, its model has served as a pioneering approach to addressing global health disparities.

Overview

Established with the vision of a world where all people, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, have access to high-quality medicines, the Institute for OneWorld Health works collaboratively with public, private, and philanthropic partners. It focuses on neglected diseases that disproportionately affect populations in lower-income regions.

History

Founded by Dr. Victoria Hale in 2000, the institute emerged out of a deep desire to bridge the gap between medical advancements and their accessibility in impoverished areas. Its genesis was inspired by the realization that numerous potential drug candidates, though scientifically viable, were not pursued because they lacked commercial profitability.

Core Initiatives

• Visceral Leishmaniasis Project: An initiative to develop an affordable, oral treatment for visceral leishmaniasis, a tropical disease transmitted by sandflies.
• Chagas Disease Program: Efforts to create new drug formulations for Chagas disease, a potentially life-threatening ailment caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite.
• Diarrheal Diseases Strategy: A program centered on producing cost-effective treatments for diarrheal diseases, which remain a leading cause of child mortality in developing nations.

Research and Development

The institute's R&D strategy emphasizes a patient-centric approach, prioritizing treatments that cater to the specific needs of affected populations. This involves extensive collaboration with academic institutions, biotech companies, and global health organizations.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Institute for OneWorld Health believes in the power of partnerships. Collaborating with organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Medicines for Malaria Venture, and Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, the institute has been able to further its mission and extend its global reach.

See Also

• Non-profit organizations
• Global health
• Pharmaceutical research
• Tropical diseases
• Public health initiatives

References

• [1] "About Us: Our Mission & Vision". Institute for OneWorld Health.
• [2] "Institute for OneWorld Health: A History of Innovation". iOWH.
• [3] "Partnerships for Progress". Institute for OneWorld Health.