US Agency for International Development (USAID)

Catalyzing R&D in health technology

The United States’ lead foreign assistance agency, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), carries out a broad humanitarian and development mission in more than 70 countries. Its framework allows USAID to catalyze health technology product research and development (R&D) in the developing world and to connect potential partners.

As illustrated below, USAID is involved in the R&D process from basic research to product rollout and field implementation. While the agency’s mandate for product creation is limited, its presence in the field and skill at delivering health technologies is significant.

Projects in the pipeline

USAID’s R&D activities include:

• All phases of HIV vaccine research and development. USAID works in partnership with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and international partners to perform clinical trials for microbicides ($78 million in FY 2006).
• The Malaria Vaccine Development Program, a comprehensive public-private partnership that tests lead candidates in clinical trials. The agency also funds new drug studies to combat malaria ($10 million in FY 2006).
• International efforts to stop tuberculosis by creating new drugs and diagnostics for worldwide use ($3.7 million in FY 2006).
• Reduction of cases of acute respiratory illnesses through training community workers and conducting operational research.
• Training and research to fight antimicrobial resistance.
• Prevention of seven neglected diseases through leveraging its drug distribution aid efforts based on studies demonstrating potential for preventing transmission.

USAID is known for its infrastructure capabilities, such as essential laboratory facilities that serve as partners with health delivery systems for research on health technologies and products.

For more information on the above data, please see:

USAID, Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance Overview.

The NTD Initiative.

Additional Resources

• GHTC news article on science and technology in international development programs at USAID.
• GHTC news article on Administrator Shah's claim that science is "indispensible" to US development goals worldwide.
• GHTC news article on the science and technology conference at USAID.
• GHTC news article on US Secretary of State calling for enhanced support for USAID's role in global development research.