Gates Foundation's Global Health Programme - The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Monday announced the appointment of a South African as President of the Foundation's Global Health Programme. Dr Trevor Mundel, a graduate of the University of Witwatersrand, is currently the global head of development for Novartis Pharma AG, based in Basel, Switzerland, and will start work at the Foundation on 1 December 2011.

'We are very pleased that Dr Mundel has agreed to lead our global health program,' said Gates, who is co-chair of the Foundation.

'He brings tremendous scientific and medical credentials, in the laboratory and in the clinic. We look forward to working with him to help improve the health of people in the world's poorest countries,' he said.

Gates said after a global search, it became clear that Dr. Mundel's deep understanding of the complexities, challenges and opportunities to improve global health made him a prime match for the foundation.

'Under his leadership, we will continue to build upon our work with our partners to deliver existing vaccines, drugs and other tools, and to create new ones,' said Jeff Raikes, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation. 

In his new position, Dr. Mundel will lead the Foundation's efforts to develop and deliver drugs, vaccines, and other tools to fight developing world diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and take the world closer to the goal of polio eradication.

He will oversee the Foundation's global health grant portfolio, which includes more than US$14.7 billion in grants to date.

Dr. Mundel has been a senior executive and scientist with Novartis since 2003, serving most recently as global head of development.

He previously served as global head of immunology and infectious disease, global head of exploratory development, and head of exploratory clinical development.

At Novartis, he oversaw some 140 clinical projects, a budget of US$3 billion, and more than 7,500 employees.

He is also on the boards of the Genomic Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, and the Novartis Venture Fund.

Prior to his tenure at Novartis, Dr. Mundel held senior positions at Alkermes Inc., Pfizer and Parke-Davis.

Pana 19/09/2011