Another milestone in Research & Development (R&D) innovation was accomplished on December 6, 2010 at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Makati City during the meeting of ASEAN representatives and World Health Organization (WHO) officials. The said event was organized to hold the 2nd meeting of Country Coordinators of the ASEAN product R&D mapping for infectious diseases, and consult with other ASEAN representatives regarding the plan for the proposed ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics and Vaccines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI).

The meeting aimed to review and consolidate the ASEAN R&D landscape mapping results; share the lessons learned from other innovative networks being established from the other parts of the world, such as the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI) and other regional networks; and discuss plans for ASEAN-NDI, including the proposed set of activities for 2011 to 2012, and funding opportunities for future activities. Dr. Jaime C. Montoya of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), as the Mapping Activity Lead Coordinator and Focal Point for the Philippines for the ASEAN Subcommittee on Biotechnology, led the discussion on the development of the ASEAN network and reiterated its rationale and objectives.

The event was attended by 35 participants, including the 10 Country Coordinators, country Focal Points of ASEAN Subcommittee on Biotechnology (SCB), delegates from respective countries’ Ministries of Science and Technology and Ministries of Health. Two top national ministry officials graced the occasion – Dr. Carol M. Yorobe, Focal Point for the Philippines of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development, and Undersecretary for Regional Operations of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and H.E. Mr. Lim Kong, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The ASEAN group was joined by Dr. Bernadette Ramirez, scientist of the World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO-TDR) and Mr. Jun Nakagawa, Technical Officer from the Western Pacific Region Office (WPRO).

Dr. Ramirez emphasized unity in driving R&D activities in the ASEAN when she said,” It is very important for us to work together, to be linked together, because as a group, we can do bigger and greater things.” She cited the developments being made in ANDI, but cautioned that the ASEAN network need not follow suit in view of the different landscape. The differences between the two networks were further highlighted by Mr. Nakagawa of WHO, who also provided additional insights on the works being done by the region concerning infectious diseases.

Methods on mapping were re-evaluated as country coordinators from the 10 ASEAN member states presented their respective results, and cited the difficulties in data collection. During his presentation of the consolidated report of the mapping exercise, Dr. Montoya expounded on the need to continue gathering data to have a more accurate picture of the product R&D landscape in ASEAN. The group openly acknowledged however that as it is, the mapping database already gives an indication of the potential of the ASEAN-NDI given the existing R&D capabilities in ASEAN,

The chair on ASEAN Sub-committee on Biotechnology, Dr. Le Tran Binh, facilitated the open forum on regional issues of common interest, process of cooperation in the previous year and future direction of the network for the years to come. The participants reaffirmed that the involvement of relevant agencies of the government will definitely ease the collection of data and strengthen the foundation of the ASEAN network for innovation in product R&D. They emphasized the need for ASEAN to prioritize the prevailing diseases in the region, improve the website and adopt a system of policies and laws to increase information exchange and strengthen ethics and intellectual property protection. The importance of preparing a strategic business plan to encourage investors on research collaborations and to increase research targeting on neglected tropical diseases were also discussed. The group also agreed to prioritize the creation of a Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, which will be composed of scientists working on drugs, diagnostics, traditional medicine and vaccines, and government administrators from either the Science and Technology or health sectors from the ASEAN member states.

With the plans agreed on and commitments made by the country coordinators and ASEAN delegates to move forward with the establishment of the R&D network, and WHO’s commitment to facilitate this move, the formal launch of the ASEAN-NDI is set in September 2011 to coincide with the ASEAN Ministerial Conference and High Level Consultative Forum for Stakeholders in Health Research at Phnom Penh, Cambodia.