Tuberculosis. Scientific blueprint for tuberculosis drug development.

The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development is dedicated to closing the R&D gaps. However, advances cannot be made without investment by national and international health organizations, private sector pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, foundations, and others. Their support is needed to develop a broad portfolio of promising candidates with a special emphasis on developing fast-track and/or sterilizing drugs. Funding agencies and research organizations must devote significant resources in the short term to close the gaps in the R&D value chain and to leverage the strengths available. Fortunately, the need, the expertise, and the enthusiasm exist. By combining resources into R&D efforts to discover and develop a broad portfolio of promising candidates, the Global Alliance and its sponsors can make a vitally important contribution to improved control and the eventual elimination of tuberculosis from every country of the world.