Evaluation of the Impact of the European Union's Research Funding for Poverty-Related and Neglected Diseases

The European Commission Research and Innovation Directorate has commissioned a study which seeks to evaluate the role and impact of the European Union's Research Framework Programme activities in the field of Poverty-Related and Neglected Diseases (PRNDs). The study focuses on the impact of past EU funding ([Euro]1.445bn) in PRND research supported from European Union Framework Programmes (FP5-7, 1998-2013), as well as the first European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCPT) (2003-2013) and relevant research under the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) (2008-2013). The overarching aim of this work is to evaluate the role of research and development (R&D) on PRNDs in contributing to achieving universal health coverage and improving population health in low- and middle-income countries (LIMCs). Through applying a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation examined the EU portfolio of PRND research, outcomes and impacts associated with EU-funded R&D across different stages of the health innovation pathway and the system-level factors affecting the translation of R&D efforts into universal health coverage (UHC). The evaluation makes nine recommendations addressed to the European Commission, research funders and wider stakeholders in the global health community