Gates provides major new funding for disease research

Research helping the global fight against some of the most widespread diseases afflicting poor countries has received a large cash boost.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a $100 million (£50 million) initiative intended to spur innovation in global health research.

In a statement, the foundation explained that the money is primarily intended to support early-stage research projects, focusing on new ideas and involving scientists from various disciplines.

Dr Tachi Yamada, president of the Gates Foundation's global health program, said: "To effectively tackle diseases like AIDS and malaria, we need to encourage the best and brightest minds to take risks on novel ideas. Not all will bear fruit, but those that do could revolutionise the field of global health."

The Gates Foundation has already provided $450 million (£225 million) to its Grand Challenges in Global Health program, supporting more than 40 projects worldwide.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates established the foundation with his wife Melinda with the aim of improving healthcare and reducing global poverty.

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