Profile
BT Slingsby: driving forward innovation in global health
For the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund see https://www.ghitfund.org
274
The young BT Slingsby had seen, close-up, some of the infectious diseases that were to become the focus of his work as chief executive officer of the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT) based in Tokyo, Japan. Living in Egypt with family friends at age 13 years, he met a man with lymphatic filariasis with elephantiasis in his limbs. “It was horrifying”, Slingsby tells The Lancet Infectious Diseases. “He was completely disabled and unable to work, just because he didn’t have access to the right medicine at the right time.” GHIT is an international public–private partnership based in Japan, pulling in money from many sources to create a non-profit fund. Its aim is to stimulate and drive forward development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for infectious diseases. The fund invests in medicines for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected disorders such as schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease. “Almost half of the world’s population is at risk of these infections, and over a billion people globally are already infected with one or more”, says Slingsby. “Despite enormous demand, we still lack sufficient tools—an exemplification of the market failing to address society’s needs. GHIT drives forward innovation using partnership as its axel.” But before pursuing any kind of medical career, Slingsby set out on a different path—as a professional triathlete. A gruelling training schedule gave him the opportunity to compete on the US World Cup team and travel the world. “Sport teaches you how to strategise and execute— indispensable tools for any career”, he explains. Having missed a slot on the Sydney 2000 US Olympic Team, Slingsby decided that the time had come for part two of his career—medicine. A decade afterwards, he earned a master’s degree and two doctorates, completing his training in medicine and public health. The next big decision was whether to continue with clinical practice or move into global health. He chose global health because of its large international effect. “To have an impact on global society as a medical doctor and better the health of millions is what it’s all about. It’s a passion of mine.” With family friends in Kyoto, Slingsby began visiting Japan almost two decades ago, having also studied there during his graduate years. When Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai asked him to work with president and chief executive officer Haruo Naito and his team, he saw this offer as the ideal opportunity to use his medical and public health background and bilingualism to help drive development of innovative strategies and new products for developing countries. GHIT’s founding partners might seem like an unlikely bunch: the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the UN Development Programme; Astellas Pharma; Daiichi Sankyo Company; Eisai Company; Shionogi & Company; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company; and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. However, Slingsby says
working together will make possible development of new approaches to tackling of infectious diseases. “We focus on bringing Japanese innovation, investment, and leadership to bear on the global fight against infectious diseases”, he adds. The funds distributed go to other worldwide partnerships, often between, for example, a Japanese pharmaceutical company and an international non-profit agency. Asked why the fund has been launched from and based in Japan, Slingbsy responds that Japan “has always been a powerhouse in drug development, has seen first-hand the benefits of overcoming infectious and parasitic diseases of poverty, and is actively expanding its legacy of global health activities”. The fund has distributed US$33 million of its more than $100 million budget for its first 5 years of operation. Examples of grants so far include a collaboration with Mahidol University, Thailand, with Japanese pharmaceutical company Kaketsuken to develop a vaccine for dengue fever, and a partnership between Takeda and the nongovernmental organisation Medicines for Malaria Ventures to advance a drug candidate from Medicines for Malaria Ventures’s pipeline. “For countries where these problems are endemic, products produced by the fund will be sold at a no gain no loss policy”, explains Slingsby. With more than 30 projects funded so far, 12 are dedicated to screening of chemical compound libraries that have yet to be tapped into for these diseases. “Urgency drives us; global health deserves nothing less than ambitious goals, near-term impact, creative partnerships, and clear access”, says Slingsby. Outside the office, Slingsby confirms that triathlons will not be returned to, but he remains active with other sports and activities. “BT is that rare individual who can take a complex concept and convert it into a successful operation”, says Tachi Yamada, executive vice-president and chief medical and scientific officer at Takeda. “We conceived of GHIT on the back of a proverbial restaurant napkin, and within 18 months the organisation was built, funded, and the first grants were going out the door. A person who can do this when multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Japanese government, and the Gates Foundation are involved is very special. BT is that person.” Support exists in equal measure from academia. “BT uniquely combines American-style entrepreneurship, a deep knowledge of science and business in Japan, and a global perspective”, says Peter Piot, professor of global health and director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. “He provides a rare bridge between Japan and the world, academia and industry, and product development and public health. His skilful leadership has been a main reason for the successful launch of GHIT in record time.”
Tony Kirby www.thelancet.com/infection Vol 15 March 2015
BT Slingsby: driving forward innovation in global health
For the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund see https://www.ghitfund.org
274
The young BT Slingsby had seen, close-up, some of the infectious diseases that were to become the focus of his work as chief executive officer of the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT) based in Tokyo, Japan. Living in Egypt with family friends at age 13 years, he met a man with lymphatic filariasis with elephantiasis in his limbs. “It was horrifying”, Slingsby tells The Lancet Infectious Diseases. “He was completely disabled and unable to work, just because he didn’t have access to the right medicine at the right time.” GHIT is an international public–private partnership based in Japan, pulling in money from many sources to create a non-profit fund. Its aim is to stimulate and drive forward development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for infectious diseases. The fund invests in medicines for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected disorders such as schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease. “Almost half of the world’s population is at risk of these infections, and over a billion people globally are already infected with one or more”, says Slingsby. “Despite enormous demand, we still lack sufficient tools—an exemplification of the market failing to address society’s needs. GHIT drives forward innovation using partnership as its axel.” But before pursuing any kind of medical career, Slingsby set out on a different path—as a professional triathlete. A gruelling training schedule gave him the opportunity to compete on the US World Cup team and travel the world. “Sport teaches you how to strategise and execute— indispensable tools for any career”, he explains. Having missed a slot on the Sydney 2000 US Olympic Team, Slingsby decided that the time had come for part two of his career—medicine. A decade afterwards, he earned a master’s degree and two doctorates, completing his training in medicine and public health. The next big decision was whether to continue with clinical practice or move into global health. He chose global health because of its large international effect. “To have an impact on global society as a medical doctor and better the health of millions is what it’s all about. It’s a passion of mine.” With family friends in Kyoto, Slingsby began visiting Japan almost two decades ago, having also studied there during his graduate years. When Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai asked him to work with president and chief executive officer Haruo Naito and his team, he saw this offer as the ideal opportunity to use his medical and public health background and bilingualism to help drive development of innovative strategies and new products for developing countries. GHIT’s founding partners might seem like an unlikely bunch: the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; the UN Development Programme; Astellas Pharma; Daiichi Sankyo Company; Eisai Company; Shionogi & Company; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company; and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. However, Slingsby says
working together will make possible development of new approaches to tackling of infectious diseases. “We focus on bringing Japanese innovation, investment, and leadership to bear on the global fight against infectious diseases”, he adds. The funds distributed go to other worldwide partnerships, often between, for example, a Japanese pharmaceutical company and an international non-profit agency. Asked why the fund has been launched from and based in Japan, Slingbsy responds that Japan “has always been a powerhouse in drug development, has seen first-hand the benefits of overcoming infectious and parasitic diseases of poverty, and is actively expanding its legacy of global health activities”. The fund has distributed US$33 million of its more than $100 million budget for its first 5 years of operation. Examples of grants so far include a collaboration with Mahidol University, Thailand, with Japanese pharmaceutical company Kaketsuken to develop a vaccine for dengue fever, and a partnership between Takeda and the nongovernmental organisation Medicines for Malaria Ventures to advance a drug candidate from Medicines for Malaria Ventures’s pipeline. “For countries where these problems are endemic, products produced by the fund will be sold at a no gain no loss policy”, explains Slingsby. With more than 30 projects funded so far, 12 are dedicated to screening of chemical compound libraries that have yet to be tapped into for these diseases. “Urgency drives us; global health deserves nothing less than ambitious goals, near-term impact, creative partnerships, and clear access”, says Slingsby. Outside the office, Slingsby confirms that triathlons will not be returned to, but he remains active with other sports and activities. “BT is that rare individual who can take a complex concept and convert it into a successful operation”, says Tachi Yamada, executive vice-president and chief medical and scientific officer at Takeda. “We conceived of GHIT on the back of a proverbial restaurant napkin, and within 18 months the organisation was built, funded, and the first grants were going out the door. A person who can do this when multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Japanese government, and the Gates Foundation are involved is very special. BT is that person.” Support exists in equal measure from academia. “BT uniquely combines American-style entrepreneurship, a deep knowledge of science and business in Japan, and a global perspective”, says Peter Piot, professor of global health and director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. “He provides a rare bridge between Japan and the world, academia and industry, and product development and public health. His skilful leadership has been a main reason for the successful launch of GHIT in record time.”
Tony Kirby www.thelancet.com/infection Vol 15 March 2015
