Posted on March 16, 2008

Gates Foundation Announces Updated List of Malaria Grants

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced an updated list of new and previously announced grants totaling almost $200 million to help fight malaria.

Thirteen grants were awarded to support initiatives designed to strengthen existing malaria control programs and to pursue research on new prevention and treatment strategies. They include $42 million to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to identify ways to optimize delivery of artemisinin combination therapy; $37 million to the Medicines for Malaria Venture to accelerate the development of effective, affordable malaria drugs; and $30 million to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to evaluate new and existing drugs and vector control interventions designed to protect pregnant women and their babies from the disease.

"These grants come at a time of new momentum in the global fight against malaria — we're seeing growing commitment among political leaders; impressive gains in prevention and treatment efforts; and encouraging scientific progress," said Regina Rabinovich, the foundation's director of infectious diseases development. "It is exciting to see such a diverse range of efforts underway to combat the disease more effectively."

For a complete list of grants awarded, visit the foundation's Web site.