Joint Partnership between Novo Nordisk Foundation, Wellcome, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Aims to Tackle Global Health Challenges

A collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Wellcome, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at supporting critical scientific research and development (R&D) to address pressing global health challenges has been announced.  

With a joint commitment of US$300 million over three years, this partnership seeks to drive innovation and advance accessible and affordable solutions, particularly for the most vulnerable populations in low—and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

The announcement was made at the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Global Science Summit in Denmark, where leaders from each organization emphasized the importance of collaboration to drive meaningful progress in global health. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, highlighted the potential for this partnership to break down barriers between different areas of work and foster truly innovative solutions. 

The collaboration will focus on three key areas: climate/sustainability, infectious diseases, and understanding the interplay between nutrition, immunity, and disease. These initiatives aim to address the health impacts of climate change, combat infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and advance understanding of the relationship between nutrition and health outcomes. 

In a statement, Dr. Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Center, praised the partnership for its commitment to supporting scientists directly engaged with affected communities, noting the potential for novel ideas to emerge from these collaborations. 

During the event, Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, emphasized the interconnectedness of agriculture, nutrition, and health, stating, “We all know the saying, ‘you are what you eat.’ So, food is medicine. And if we believe in it, it means that we really need to bring the agriculture, nutrition, and health sectors together.”  

Elouafi further highlighted the initiative’s synergistic approach, drawing parallels with nature’s interconnected systems, where various components work together in harmony. 

Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, underscored the importance of partnerships in driving progress, stating, “Every sector has a critical role to play, and we hope this collaboration opens the door for other funders and partners to contribute to scaling up existing innovations and developing the tools of tomorrow.” 

This joint effort reflects a shared commitment to advancing global health and development, with a focus on leveraging scientific research and innovation to create a healthier and more equitable world.