In lieu of extreme drug-resistant TB-strains threatening to make the TB pandemic even worse, the Dutch has decided to take a strong stand by providing funding and scientific expertise for the development of new, more effective TB vaccines.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS) has invested Euro 18.4 million in Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation (for a four-year project), a Product Development Partnership (PDP) that is collaborating with Crucell N.V., KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI-AVI) and other Dutch organizations for the development of new TB vaccines.

According to Dr. Jerald Sadoff, President and CEO of Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation:

"Vaccines have wiped out smallpox and nearly eliminated polio. A vaccine for TB could reverse the tide of the TB pandemic and save millions of lives. The Netherlands has shown great global leadership to develop new solutions to global health problems that burden developing countries. DGIS' strong financial support for Aeras' work and the Netherlands' first-rate scientific expertise will both speed development of a new vaccine and help mobilize commitments from other donor countries."

Today's TB vaccine is more than 85 years old and providing only marginal protection for infants and provides very little, if any, protection beyond childhood.

TB kills nearly 2 million people a year, TB/HIV co-infection is worsening the pandemic, and recently-discovered extremely drug resistant TB (XDR-B), is on the rise, particularly in Eastern Europe and countries on the Baltic Sea.

The world should really DO something about it.

Read the full press release.