Merck Sharpe and Dohme to fund PATH maternal health research

Merck Sharpe and Dohme has announced that it will be providing funding to the not-for-profit organisation PATH to support maternal health in poorer countries.

A grant has been allocated by the pharmaceutical company to help PATH identify potentially groundbreaking technological advances that can help to save the lives of women during pregnancy and childbirth.

More than 30 innovations will be evaluated by scientists from PATH and Merck for Mothers, focusing on post-partum haemorrhaging and preeclampsia, the two leading causes of maternal mortality.

The alliance will extend through to next autumn and is valued at $2.5 million (1.61 million pounds), calling on private and public sector expertise to help address a global healthcare need.

Dr Naveen Rao, leader of Merck for Mothers, said: "There are many promising, lifesaving maternal health innovations that, left to current market forces, would not reach the mothers who need them, when they need them, at a price they can afford."

Last month, it was announced that the NHS is to utilise Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil for its national vaccination programme from next year onwards.