Rising pharmaceutical innovation in the Global South: a landscape study

Alonso Ruiz, Adrian; Marcela Vieira, Marcela; Tatiana Andia, Tatiana

doi:10.1186/s40545-023-00669-3

Published November 27, 2023 | Version 1

Journal article Open

Rising pharmaceutical innovation in the Global South: a landscape study

Contributors

Data collector:

Tatiana Andia, Tatiana

There is growing interest in pharmaceutical innovation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs),
but information on existing activities, capacities, and outcomes is scarce. We mapped available data at the global
level, and studied the national pharmaceutical innovation systems of Bangladesh and Colombia to shed light
on pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) in the Global South, including challenges and prospects, to help
fill existing knowledge gaps

Abstract

Pharmaceutical R&D activities are occurring in many LMICs, but 16 countries have emerged as frontrunners.
Investment in R&D in LMICs has increased in the past decade, particularly from middle-income countries (MICs).
Capacity is also growing, with an increase in the number of research organizations and the amount of funding available
from external sources. The total number of clinical trials and the proportion of trials in LMICs increased markedly,
and there is also growing activity in the earlier, more innovative and riskier Phase 1 and 2 trials. Non-commercial
entities comprise the majority of clinical trial funders and sponsors in LMICs. Finally, investments have borne fruit,
as indicated by a number of innovative medicines developed in LMICs. The Bangladesh and Colombia country studies
showed that there is still a need for both targeted R&D policies to strengthen capacities in the pharmaceutical sector,
and more government support to overcome the challenges of a lack of funding and coordination among different
actors.

Methods

We gathered and analyzed data from three types of sources: literature, semi-structured interviews with key
informants, and publicly available data on R&D funding, R&D scientific capacity measured by human resources,
and clinical trial activities

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