THE SASAKAWA PEACE FOUNDATION

Platform Construction for the Development of Global Public Goods

12,000,000 yen [Grant Project]
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (Swiss)

Goods that are analogous to public goods in nature, such as energy and life-saving medicines, are essential elements for everyday life, and yet, market mechanism alone cannot ensure the supply of such products. Due to the absence of owners of development efforts and incapacity of governments, the supply of such analogues of public goods has become very challenging. Furthermore, it has been difficult for non-profit organizations to tackle areas such as this as highly sophisticated expertise in development or production is required.
Against this backdrop, in a bid to the development of the analogues of public goods, or global public goods, for which high-level expertise is imperative, Asian public research institutes will form a consortium through the coordination of a non-profit organization and construct a platform that facilitates the collection and sharing of information about bioactive compounds deriving from natural substances of Asian-origin.

The following activities are planned in the second year of the project.

Training for Information Gathering
(1) Individual training: With a view to screening effective compounds from natural substances originating from Asia for the treatment of African Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniasis, two researchers will be sent to research institutes in London and Switzerland so as to have them trained in information gathering.
(2) Workshops: Workshop-style trainings in information gathering will be given in Singapore so as to bring the level of technical expertise of participating institutes on a par with each other. About 30 participants are expected.
Development of Information Gathering Manuals
For the screening of compounds that are effective in treating African Trypanosomiasis, Leishmaniasis and Chagas Disease, manuals regarding in-vitro testing and cytotoxicity assay will be developed and made available on a web site.
Information Sharing Meeting (June 2007, Shanghai)
Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica will host a information sharing meeting so that information can be shared, exchanged, and research coordination can be made amongst participating institutes.

(Second year of a 3-year project)