Taking partnership with the private sector to the next level: The Stop TB Partnership and Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. will work together toward ending TB

9 July 2018, Tokyo, Japan – The Stop TB Partnership and Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. (MURC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at MURC’s headquarters in Tokyo, Japan on 6 July 2018. The MOU represents a critical milestone for the tuberculosis (TB) community, as it contributes to strengthening and accelerating private sector engagement in the fight against TB and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, this partnership exemplifies a deepening and forward-looking private sector commitment in the lead up to the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on TB.

MURC is a think tank based in Japan, holding expertise in areas of policy research and consulting, economic research, corporate management consulting, among many other competencies. The company recently established a Center on Global Health Architecture to promote public-private partnerships and catalyze the exchange of information on infectious disease and global health, including TB.

“Japan is a strong proponent of universal health coverage, and in order to realize this concept, it is important to catalyze and promote people-centered initiatives and innovations,” said Mr. Satoshi Murabayashi, President of MURC. “With this goal in mind, MURC is committed to making proactive contributions to Japan’s continued efforts to end TB. By signing this MOU with the Stop TB Partnership, we hope to more rapidly bring innovative products and technologies by Japanese industries to all people affected by TB.”

The MOU between Stop TB and MURC will initially focus on leveraging the expertise of both organizations to advocate for and share knowledge on the rapid roll-out of new, quality assured TB and AMR innovations, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, digital health solutions, genomics, machine learning, etc., in high burden countries through various initiatives, such as the Accelerator for Impact (a4i), and with an emphasis on reducing the administrative burden for healthcare service providers and increasing a person’s ability to fully engage in the ownership of their healthcare journey.

“I am delighted and excited to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd., and I am eager to see the tangible and impactful benefits this partnership will bring to the TB community and, most importantly, to the people affected by TB,” said Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership. “It is an excellent opportunity to increase advocacy for private sector efforts in-country, regionally, and globally, with one of the leading companies in Japan, which will be critical to developing and delivering novel innovations.”

The first-ever UN HLM on TB will take place on 26 September, during the UN General Assembly, in New York City.