Working Group on New TB Drugs Launches Blog

Interactive Platform to Explore Key Issues in TB Drug Development

February 11, 2010

The Stop TB Partnership's Working Group on New TB Drugs (WGND) has launched an interactive platform that will mobilize robust discussion around the need to develop the new TB drugs that will save millions of lives, reduce the strain on overburdened health systems, and promote global prosperity. This platform will thrive with the active participation and engagement of the TB community, as it aims to foster education and collaboration, and increase cross-connectivity.

The blog is accessible though newtbdrugs.org, the WGND's newly redesigned website, which also features project-specific information on the global pipeline of new TB drugs.

"We want this blog to be a resource for researchers and advocates led by researchers and advocates, and we'd greatly appreciate you lending your voice to the project," said Dr. William Bishai, Co-Chair of the Working Group on New TB Drugs. "We intend for this initiative to facilitate open, two-way dialogue about the most important issues and challenges facing the movement to tackle the global TB epidemic, with particular attention paid to the field of drug development."

The blog, will stream content from a variety of sources and TB thought leaders, content will include:

  • the progress in and challenges to preclinical and clinical development of new TB drugs
  • TB prevention and control strategies
  • multimedia interviews and commentary from experts and thought leaders
  • need-to-know news and analysis

Dr. Marcos Espinal, Executive Secretary, Stop TB Partnership and Dr. Mario Raviglione, Director, WHO Stop TB Department are among the first to post commentary.

The WGND encourages members of the TB community to submit your news announcements, pertinent scientific papers, and other news for inclusion in the blog by sending them to: wgnd@newtbdrugs.org. The WGND blog will also accept requests of those interested in acting as "guest bloggers."

If you would like to subscribe to the blog through your RSS feed, you can do so here.

The blog is a natural extension of the WGND's mandate to ensure cross-sector collaboration to speed the development of new and improved TB treatments and embraces the opportunity to widen discussions through featuring the perspectives of guest authors. The WGND encourages its own members, TB drug developers, practitioners, patients, activists, academics, medical students and any other interested stakeholders to submit pieces for distribution.