How Impact Investments in Innovations Save Lives

Financing innovations in life science to reach more people globally and vulnerable populations in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) is a key challenge in reaching Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.

This workshop discusses approaches in innovative financing instruments and impact investment to stimulate innovation in med-tech, health-tech, and biotech, while promoting access for people in LMICs. It will also highlight bottlenecks including low incentives to Research and Development (R&D), challenges in financing clinical studies and securing regulatory approval. Regarding access the workshop will focus on manufacturing capacities, innovative procurement mechanisms and the use of new products by health workers and communities. This includes current discussions around localization of innovation and manufacturing in endemic countries.

What began over 20 years ago with governments, development banks and philanthropies was soon complemented by commercial investors. The potential of public investments to leverage private capital has grown exponentially. Today we look at an ever-growing ecosystem of impact investments through Product Development Partnerships (PDP) and Investment Funds in Global Health. PDPs still largely rely on grant funding owed to their focus on the most neglected (tropical) diseases with limited commercially viable market and no financial return for investors. Impact Investment Funds in comparison, focus on products that can generate a moderate return to their (venture capital) investors. Those products have either a sufficient local procurement market or a dual market use across the globe. For both approaches, access for local populations in LMICs is key.

Join this workshop to learn and discuss what has been accomplished, the challenges ahead, and ways to expand this important pillar of Global Health Financing.