Bristol-Myers Squibb allies with WHO to combat tuberculosis

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced a new alliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to help combat the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in Africa.

The company's charitable arm, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, is to aid the WHO's Stop TB Department in launching a two-year pilot initiative strengthening community-based prevention, care and control of TB in five different nations.

South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – which account for more than 13 percent of global TB – will be the beneficiaries of this scheme, which will solicit the assistance of non-governmental bodies and community groups.

The aim of the project is to improve early detection rates for the disease, thus ensuring patients have a greater chance of successful treatment.

Lamberto Andreotti, chief executive officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "Bristol-Myers Squibb's commitment to help communities prevail over serious diseases is embodied in our foundation's mission to address health disparities and empower communities."

Last month, the company announced that it will be allying with Ambrx to create new therapies for diabetes and heart failure, based on the latter firm's protein and hormone research.