Devex 41d ago

As infectious disease threats continue to accelerate — from dengue outbreaks and drug resistance to growing pressure on health systems — sustained investment in innovation is becoming increasingly critical to global health security. Yet at a time when long-term research and development are needed most, funding uncertainty and short-term financing pressures are making infectious disease innovation increasingly difficult to sustain. In this fireside conversation at Devex Impact House on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly, Jeremy Knox, head of infectious disease policy at Wellcome, shares why infectious disease R&D remains one of the most important long-term investments in global health and how stronger alignment between research, policy, financing, and community needs can help translate innovation into real-world impact. Session highlights: 🔹 The investment case for infectious disease R&D Why sustained investment in infectious disease research is essential for health security, economic resilience, and stronger health systems in an increasingly constrained financing environment. 🔹 From research to community impact Using dengue control and Wolbachia innovation as an example, the conversation explores how scientific breakthroughs can move from discovery to large-scale implementation and where challenges often emerge along the way. 🔹 Lessons for the future of global health innovation Broader lessons for infectious disease preparedness, regional capacity-building, equitable innovation, and country-led approaches to health system strengthening. Moderated by: Kate Warren, Executive Vice President & Executive Editor, Devex This conversation was hosted by Devex in partnership with Wellcome. For more international development news, visit: http://www.devex.com Subscribe to the Devex YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=wwwdevexcom Follow us on: Facebook: @Devex Instagram: @devex_com LinkedIn: @Devex