Need Assistance?
Call 1300 658 508
What is the Product Development and Access Partnerships?
The Product Development and Access Partnerships is a program that falls under DFAT’s aid program, which aims to support the development of new health technologies and ensure that these technologies are accessible to those who need them.
Background
Over the past 20 years, a number of global Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) have been established to foster the development of new global health products, working with research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other actors to build a pipeline of priority products and take them through pre-clinical and clinical trials. Access to new medical products for countries in our region requires safe and effective product introduction pathways, including rigorous regulatory assessment and affordable pricing. PDPs work closely with allied organisations to maximise the uptake of products emerging from their pipeline.
DFAT is calling for proposals from Product Development Partnerships and allied organisations, focusing on products targeting infectious diseases of particular concern to the Pacific and Southeast Asia. This includes, for example, malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV and HPV) and neglected tropical diseases such as scabies and trachoma. Proposals that address barriers to product access and utilisation in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, through engagement between product development partners and other institutions, are encouraged.
Objectives
The main objectives of DFAT’s Product Development and Access Partnerships program are:
- To support the development of new health technologies: Product Development and Access Partnerships aims to support the development of innovative health technologies that can improve health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This includes supporting research and development activities, as well as providing technical and financial assistance to help partners bring products to market.
- To ensure that products are safe, effective, and affordable: Product Development and Access Partnerships works to ensure that the products developed through the program meet international quality and safety standards, and are affordable for those who need them. This includes providing technical assistance to partners to help them meet regulatory requirements, and supporting the development of pricing and distribution strategies that ensure products are accessible to those who need them.
- To promote partnerships between different stakeholders: Product Development and Access Partnerships aims to build partnerships between private sector partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing. This can help to accelerate the development and commercialization of new health technologies, and ensure that products are effectively distributed and used.
- To improve access to health technologies: Product Development and Access Partnerships works to ensure that the products developed through the program are accessible to those who need them, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This may involve working with governments to create policies and regulations that promote access, or working with NGOs and other partners to improve distribution networks and ensure that products are available in remote or underserved areas.
Overall, the objectives of Product Development and Access Partnerships are aligned with DFAT’s broader goal of promoting sustainable economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving health outcomes in developing countries. By supporting the development and access to innovative health technologies, Product Development and Access Partnerships aims to contribute to these broader goals and help create a more equitable and prosperous world.
Need Assistance?
Call 1300 658 508
Funding
Up to $75 million will be made available over five years (2022-23 to 2026- 27) for activities supported through the Product Development and Access Partnerships program under PHR.
Product Development and Access Partnerships provides two types of grants:
Product Development Grants: These grants provide funding to support the development of new health technologies. Grants are awarded to private sector partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions to support research and development activities, such as pre-clinical and clinical trials, manufacturing, and regulatory approval processes.
Market Access Grants: These grants provide funding to support the commercialization and distribution of health technologies. Grants are awarded to partners to support activities such as market research, pricing and reimbursement strategies, and distribution network development.
Eligible Projects
The Product Development and Access Partnerships program is an Australian Government initiative managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that aims to support the development of innovative health products and increase access to essential health commodities in developing countries. Eligible projects for the PDAP program include:
- Product Development: Projects focused on developing new health products, including drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices. These projects should have the potential to address unmet health needs in developing countries and demonstrate a clear path to commercialization.
- Manufacturing and Quality Assurance: Projects aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of health product manufacturing, particularly in developing countries. This may include capacity building and technical assistance to local manufacturers to ensure they meet international quality standards.
- Regulatory Support: Projects focused on strengthening regulatory systems in developing countries to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of health products. This may involve providing technical assistance to regulatory authorities to improve their capacity to review and approve products.
- Distribution and Supply Chain Strengthening: Projects aimed at improving the distribution and supply chain of health products, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas. This may include improving cold chain infrastructure, developing innovative delivery mechanisms, or implementing supply chain management systems.
- Demand Generation and Behaviour Change: Projects aimed at increasing demand for health products and promoting behavior change to improve health outcomes. This may involve developing communication strategies and social marketing campaigns to raise awareness and change attitudes towards health issues.
- Health Systems Strengthening: Projects aimed at strengthening health systems in developing countries, particularly in areas such as health financing, governance, and human resources. This may involve providing technical assistance and capacity building to governments and other stakeholders to improve health service delivery.
Eligible Applicants
The Product Development and Access Partnerships program of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is open to a range of eligible applicants who can apply for funding and technical assistance to support the development and commercialization of innovative health technologies that can improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Eligible applicants include:
- Australian entities: Australian private sector organizations, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply for the Product Development and Access Partnerships program. This includes companies, universities, research institutes, and non-profit organizations that have a presence in Australia.
- Partnerships: The Product Development and Access Partnerships program encourages partnerships between Australian entities and other organizations, including international organizations, developing country governments, and other stakeholders. Partnerships may involve collaboration on research and development, manufacturing, distribution, or other aspects of health product development and access.
- Innovators and entrepreneurs: The Product Development and Access Partnerships program is open to innovators and entrepreneurs who have developed innovative health products or technologies that have the potential to address unmet health needs in developing countries. These individuals or companies may partner with Australian entities to access funding and technical assistance through the Product Development and Access Partnerships program.
- Consortia: The Product Development and Access Partnerships program also welcomes applications from consortia, which are groups of organizations that come together to collaborate on a specific project. Consortia may involve a mix of Australian and international organizations, as well as private sector, academic, and non-profit entities.
Need Assistance?
Call 1300 658 508
Timing
Proposal submission deadline 20 April 2023.
