International status granted to three not-for-profit organizations in Switzerland
The Geneva-based organizations Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) have been recognized as “other International Organizations” by the Swiss Government with effect from the first of January 2011. This represents an important recognition of their goals to drive the development and implementation of effective, low-cost and innovative drugs and diagnostic tests to fight diseases that affect millions of people in the world’s poorer regions.
Under the agreement signed today on behalf of the Federal Council of Switzerland by Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, Director of the Directorate of Public International Law (DDIP), DNDi, FIND and MMV will be granted special status in Switzerland.
The recognition by the Swiss Host State will provide these three PDPs added impetus and resources to achieve their respective missions. “This status given by the Swiss Government is a great honor and will provide a boost to our innovative R&D models for neglected diseases,” said Bernard Pécoul, Executive Director of DNDi.
Dennis Schmatz, President and CEO of MMV, added, “This generous gesture from the Swiss Government will have significant impact on MMV’s mission to develop new life saving medicines for those most affected by malaria in the poorest regions of the world.”
“FIND is greatly honored to have been granted special status by the Swiss Government. This will strengthen our ability to combat infectious diseases through the development and implementation of accurate, easy-to-use and affordable diagnostic tests that are appropriate for patient care in low-resource settings,” affirmed Giorgio Roscigno, CEO of FIND.