Zaragoza, Spain – On 21 February Bill Gates met with Dr. Carlos Martin* of the University of Zaragoza and members of his team in Madrid, Spain. The scientists are working on the development of MTBVAC, a new vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) with support from Biofabri and TBVI. Gates showed great interest in the scientific background of MTBVAC, the most advanced vaccine based on attenuation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. MTBVAC aims to replace BCG and might be able to protect millions of people from getting tuberculosis. BCG is currently the only available vaccine against TB and unfortunately provides very limited protection. Without new vaccines TB cannot be eliminated.

Members of the European Parliament have asked the Commission to clarify their efforts to fight tuberculosis. Sir Graham Watson and Catherine Bearder of the ALDE group, both also asked special attention for the investment model that TBVI has proposed to the EU.