Innovation Bridge (IB)
Led by a group of vaccine researchers and policy experts at the University of Michigan, the Innovation Bridge (IB) connects vaccine developers in the industrialized world, such as biotech companies and academic or government groups, with developing country vaccine manufacturers (DCVMs). The IB targets vaccine development and manufacturing in the five priority areas of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases and pneumonia-related diseases. The project has two main components – a ‘Communication Bridge’ and a ‘Finance Bridge.’ The Communication Bridge is designed to enable vaccine developers and DCVMs to locate appropriate members and communicate through regularly updated online databases. The Finance Bridge supports the partnership efforts of its members by working with established organizations such as the Gates foundation as well as by identifying new sources of funding.
Matthew Davis, University of Michigan