GHIT Fund commits $6.8 million to infectious-disease product development

The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund announced investment in nine projects developing drugs, vaccines and diagnostics for malaria, neglected tropical diseases and emerging or re-emerging infections. The announcement, dated October 28, 2026, allocates approximately JPY 1.06 billion (US$6.8 million). The source does not provide a combined clinical-trial sample size or report clinical efficacy results.

Approximately JPY 450 million (US$2.9 million) will support further development of a trachoma rapid diagnostic test, including clinical evaluations, regulatory work and preparation for potential programmatic launch. The project aims to meet the WHO target product profile; a 2028 launch is an objective, not a reported outcome. Another JPY 210 million (US$1.3 million) will fund three rapid-diagnostic projects for Bundibugyo virus, including RT-LAMP, lateral-flow and LAMP-based approaches.

The remaining approximately JPY 400 million (US$2.5 million) will support five projects, including a Lassa fever vaccine and rapid tests for Nipah and Hendra viruses, as well as malaria and NTD product development. These are development investments, not evidence of approved products or established clinical performance. The announcement comes from the fund itself; detailed project stages and results are not provided for all nine awards.