4.25.2008 - 01:10pm ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, April 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite being preventable and treatable, malaria continues to devastate communities in tropical regions throughout Latin America, Asia and Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the malaria epidemic causes debilitating disease in more than 500 million people worldwide and kills more than one million people each year - mostly infants, young children and pregnant women.

Global Health Progress, an initiative sponsored by the research-based biopharmaceutical companies of EFPIA, IFPMA, PhRMA and Rx&D, joins the global community in commemorating World Malaria Day on April 25. Research-based biopharmaceutical companies are committed to curbing the spread of malaria by working in partnership with governments, NGOs and others to provide education and treatment, and conduct research and development for new drugs and vaccines.

Research-based biopharmaceutical companies collaborate with initiatives such as Roll Back Malaria, the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative and the Medicines for Malaria Venture to accelerate the discovery of new medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other health products to fight malaria. According to a study by the Malaria R&D Alliance, research-based biopharmaceutical and biotech companies fund 36 percent of all new R&D into products to combat malaria.

According to WHO, approximately 40 percent of the world's population are at risk for contracting malaria and, in Africa, malaria causes one in five childhood deaths. Around the world, research-based biopharmaceutical companies are actively engaged in combating malaria through partnerships to improve access to malaria treatments and interventions.

As of 2 November 2007, the R&D industry was conducting research on 24 new medicines and four candidate vaccines for malaria. This includes eight projects within the industry and 20 with product development partnerships (notably MMV, PATH, MVI, and Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative ). By way of comparison, the industry was pursuing 18 new medicines and two candidate vaccines as of 11 December 2006.

Global Health Progress

The Global Health Progress initiative brings research-based biopharmaceutical companies and global health leaders together to improve health in the developing world. Through meaningful public-private partnerships with others in the field, including policymakers in the developed and developing world, multi-lateral institutions, non-governmental organizations, and academia, we can help shape sustainable solutions that improve the health of all people.

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) represents the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 32 national associations and 43 leading pharmaceutical companies, EFPIA is the voice on the EU scene of 2,100 companies committed to researching, developing and bringing to patients new medicines that improve health and the quality of lifearound the world.

EPFIA Internet Address: www.efpia.eu

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) is the global non-profit NGO representing the research-based pharmaceutical, biotech and vaccine sectors. Its members comprise 25 leading international companies and 45 national and regional industry associations covering developed and developing countries.

IFPMA Internet Address: www.ifpma.org

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $44.5 billion in 2007 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide research and investment reached a record $58.82 billion in 2007.

PhRMA Internet Address: www.phrma.org

PhRMA en Espanol: www.nuestraphrma.org