TB ALLIANCE GETS $14 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM EUROPEAN NATIONS

The New York-based Global Alliance for TB Drug Development has received $14 million (11.65 million euros) from the British, Irish and Dutch governments to accelerate the development of new tuberculosis (TB) medications. The British Department of International Development contributed $11.3 million, with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Irish Aid offering the remainder of the sum -- $2.4 million and $360, 512, respectively.

"This investment moves us another step closer to putting new, better, affordable TB drugs in the hands of the poor," said Maria Freire, president of the alliance. "For millions of people around the globe, our work will mean the difference between life and death."

The funding, noted Freire, will help the organization to focus on developing new treatments and shortening and simplifying currently available treatment programs. During the current regimen, patients take several pills each day during the first, most intensive treatment phase, which must be overseen by a healthcare worker. This standard of care is available to less than half of those with TB, and its extended duration can hamper control of the disease. Approximately one-third of the world's population is infected with TB.