TB diagnostics in India: creating an ecosystem for innovation

Abstract

The ‘TB diagnostics in India: from importation and imitation to innovation’ conference was held in Bangalore, India, on 25–26 August 2011, and was organized by the St. John’s Research Institute, Bangalore, with the support of several partners. This unique conference brought together, for the first time, over 220 representatives from industry, government, donors, academia, civil society and the media to discuss what it takes to innovate in tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics in India. The goal was to engage these stakeholders to stimulate interest and investments in TB innovations. The conference was successful in engaging stakeholders and understanding the challenge of TB innovations from diverse perspectives. Coordination between stakeholders and innovations in delivery systems, partnerships, funding, regulatory and communication mechanisms are among the key challenges ahead.

Keywords::

• diagnostics
• India
• innovations
• tuberculosis

Acknowledgements

The Bangalore conference benefited immensely from various partners. St. John’s Research Institute hosted the conference and provided logistical support. Funding was provided by Global Health Strategies, New Delhi, India, and McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Technical partners included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; and the Stop TB Partnership. Industry partners were Confederation of Indian Industry and Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises. Media partners were Express Pharma, Express Healthcare and BioSpectrum Asia.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

M Pai serves as a consultant to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.