The Changing Face of Biomedical Research in Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality despite improvements in detection and treatment. Current global control strategies are not sufficient to significantly affect TB rates worldwide and are unlikely to meet global targets without new diagnostic tests, drugs, and vaccines. Increasing rates of drug-resistant TB coupled with co-infection in people with HIV infection, threaten to reverse gains made in controlling both diseases.Control of TB includes many interconnected components. NIH/NIAID supports fundamental, translational, and clinical TB studies and provides resources to facilitate research on candidate products. In an era of limited government funding, clinical use of candidate products, and a changing landscape of organizations participating in TB research and development, it is critical to re-evaluate each partner's contributions. This rethinking will ensure that limited resources focus on medical gaps, and tasks are undertaken by the most suitable organizations. Collaborative efforts are essential to advance in TB research and development.