Spring 2008
From Innovation to Impact: How PATH Advances New Approaches to Old Problems in Global Health
Dr. Chris Elias began his presentation at the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series with the question facing global health organizations: “how do we take great new scientific discoveries and turn them into solutions?”
By focusing on the three “I’s”– innovate, introduce, and integrate – that make up its product introduction framework, Seattle-based PATH aims to provide the answer.
For global health challenges in which the market fails to spur the development of new treatments, PATH seeks to create incentives to encourage the private sector to develop new technologies. Simultaneously, the organization works to build an evidence base to support informed decision-making by governments, thus ensuring that new technologies can be introduced, and strengthen systems to ensure effective distribution and use.
To illustrate how PATH applies the three I’s in practice, Dr. Elias discussed its effort to address the largest cause of child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: malaria.
Populations having the largest concentrations of malaria infection comprise the poorest 40% of the world. A first-generation malaria vaccine would prevent the onset of severe disease and death, a significant advancement in health care in a region that accounts for 90% of all deaths due to malaria. However, it would not stave off infection altogether. Demand for such a vaccine among those who have the ability to pay, such as the military and the traveling public, is therefore predicted to be low. With the cost of developing a new vaccine reaching $500 million – as a conservative estimate – there are no market forces to spur companies to invest in malaria vaccine development.
This is where PATH steps in. Its Malaria Vaccine Initiative aims to accelerate the development of promising malaria vaccines and ensure that they subsequently are made available to people in the developing world. To encourage R&D in diseases for which there are no market incentives, PATH seeks to create them. For example, PATH seeks ways to reduce cost and share risk – what Dr. Elias referred to as “push mechanisms” – by investing in development in exchange for global access. Another approach is the use of “pull mechanisms,” such as encouraging companies to compete in meeting a target product profile while providing a price supplement that will enable them to recoup their R&D investment. The latter has been piloted for pneumococcal disease and is being discussed as a potential strategy for malaria.
Overall, Dr. Elias noted, the vaccine pipeline for malaria consists largely of early stage developments. This year could be a pivotal one in the fight against the disease, however, as one promising vaccine enters a crucial clinical trial to prove its effectiveness and tolerability in toddlers and infants. If successful, the vaccine could be ready for licensure in 2011.
By that time, PATH aims to have laid the groundwork for its introduction in the health care delivery system. PATH focuses on building an evidence base that supports informed decision-making by governments. Because the process of introducing an innovation in affected countries can take five years or more, PATH doesn’t wait for the innovation phase to conclude before starting on its introduction. Already, the organization has begun collecting data and mapping out what information countries need to know and when, in an effort to encourage timely adoption of a life-saving new development.
The final piece of the puzzle is integration. PATH seeks innovative ways to address systemic issues that impede the deployment of new drugs and vaccines: for example, it is actively working to improve supply systems so that a vaccine will reach the people who need it most. Observing that “the science is moving faster than the system,” Dr. Elias stressed that we must avert an “innovation pileup” that could discourage companies from partnering in efforts to improve global health in the future.
Learn more about PATH and its efforts to improve global health at www.path.org
Information, Imagination & Ingenuity: The Technology Alliance’s 2008 State of Technology Luncheon, Featuring Internet Pioneer Vint Cerf
- Friday, May 9, 2008
- The Westin Seattle
- Networking and registration: 11:00 am
- Doors open: 11:30 am
- Luncheon program: 11:45 am – 1:30 pm
It was 38 years before radio reached 50 million users. Television took 13. The Internet? Four.
How will the rapidly changing online landscape continue to reshape the way we do business, connect with customers, and relate to family, friends, even total strangers halfway around the globe?
Vint Cerf, vice president and chief Internet evangelist at Google, is working on the answers. He will share his insights during a keynote conversation with Ed Lazowska, the Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science and Engineering at University of Washington – just one of the highlights of this year’s State of Technology Luncheon, the premier event for Washington’s technology community.
Alliance of Angels Reaches New Heights with 2007 Investment Activity
As the Alliance of Angels kicks off its 10th anniversary year, it already has reason to celebrate. Last year, members invested $3.9 million in a record-high 44 early stage companies in innovative, high-growth sectors.
The Innovative Region: Benchmarking Goes Global in New Collaboration
The Technology Alliance has partnered with the Puget Sound Regional Council and Trade Development Alliance of Seattle to launch the International Regions Benchmarking Consortium, an effort aimed at cultivating a deeper understanding of how metropolitan regions can succeed in the global economy. 
We kicked off this ambitious project by engaging eight dynamic regions from around the globe as founding members of the IRBC: Barcelona (Spain); Daejeon (South Korea); Dublin (Ireland); Fukuoka (Japan); Helsinki (Finland); Melbourne (Australia); Munich (Germany); Seattle (USA) and Stockholm (Sweden).
Technology Alliance Welcomes Dr. Tomas Mustelin of Amgen
At its January meeting, the Technology Alliance board was pleased to elect Dr. Tomas Mustelin, Amgen’s new Washington Site Head, to a new three-year term. Dr. Mustelin joins an impressive roster of business and research leadership from around the state, including nine members who recently renewed their commitment to the organization and its mission.
Technology Alliance Welcomes Amy Bell Rousso
The Technology Alliance is pleased to welcome program coordinator Amy Bell Rousso. Amy will provide administrative support for board and executive committee activities, assist with coordination of the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series, and participate in the planning and execution of events.
Prior to joining the TA team, Amy worked in client services for Seattle advertising firm Ad Mark Services. At Ad Mark, Amy fulfilled a variety of roles, from event and tradeshow coordination to advertising planning and placement. Amy earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication from University of Washington.
Important Dates
- May 6
- Alliance of Angels 10-Minute Pitch Clinic
- 2:00 – 4:30 pm
- Seattle
- More information
- May 9
- State of Technology Luncheon
- 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Seattle
- More information
- May 16
- Seattle Discovery Series: Mike Schwenk, PNNL
- 7:30 – 9:00 am
- Seattle
- More information
- Spokane Discovery Series: Suzan Kardong-Edgren, WSU
- 7:30 – 9:00 am
- Spokane
- More information
