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Geneva, 24 March 2025 – The Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) is pleased to announce that Dr José Gomes Temporão has joined its Board. A public health physician and researcher, Dr Temporão is widely recognized for his role as Brazil’s Health Minister from 2007 to 2010, during the second term of President Lula da Silva’s administration. Dr Temporão is the first member from the Latin America and Caribbean region to join GARDP’s Board.

“With the AMR crisis reaching a tipping point, GARDP’s unique antibiotic innovation and access model is extremely important, now more than ever,” said Dr Temporão. “Expanding its Board to include a representative from the Latin American region showcases GARDP’s recognition of the impact AMR has and will have in our countries.”

A staunch supporter of public health strengthening and equitable access, Dr Temporão is one of the key proponents behind the establishment of the health economic-industrial complex (HEIC) public policy. Through HEIC-related initiatives, Brazil has been increasing its ability to innovate and manufacture health products. Other notable achievements include the expansion of the country’s family health programme and massive vaccination campaigns with high adherence in the fight against H1N1, yellow fever, and polio. Dr Temporão also played an important role in the government’s decision to issue a compulsory license for an antiretroviral HIV drug to allow access to a more affordable locally produced generic version.

“We are very excited to have Dr Temporão join the GARDP Board as our first member from Latin America,” said Dr Manica Balasegaram, GARDP’s Executive Director. “His expertise in establishing the HEIC with a sustainability and equity lens will be valuable as GARDP expands its research and development and access activities in Brazil and throughout the region.”

Throughout his career, Dr Temporão has held various high-level government roles and has consulted with many regional and international health organizations, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), South American Institute of Government in Health (ISAGS) and Unitaid. Dr Temporão’s career in public health began with his work at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), one of the most prominent public health research institutions in Brazil. He held various positions within Fiocruz, contributing significantly to the development of public health policies and research in the country.

According to the latest Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) study, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the world’s biggest killers and associated with nearly 5 million deaths each year. But mortality is expected to rise sharply, increasing by 70% by 2050, particularly in Latin America.

GARDP

We are a not-for-profit global health organization driven to protect people from the rise and spread of drug-resistant infections, one of the biggest threats to us all. By forging the public and private partnerships that matter, we develop and make accessible antibiotic treatments for people who need them. We receive vital support from the governments of Canada, Germany, Japan, Monaco, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Canton of Geneva, the European Union, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Health EDCTP3, GSK, the RIGHT Foundation, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Wellcome. We are GARDP, the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership. www.gardp.org