Friends of the United Nations

In July 2011, the Global Innovation Commons was contacted by the Friends of the United Nations and asked to assist in uncovering innovation relevant to the treatment of Buruli Ulcer. Buruli Ulcer is an often neglected, but treatable disease. While the disease is found in over 30 countries in primarily tropical and subtropical climates, GIC was asked to particularly focus on treatments available in Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. Using the Global Innovation Commons platform, we have identified public domain innovation that deals with, or is related to, the treatment of Buruli Ulcer.

Friends of the United Nations is an independent, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the core principles and values of the United Nations Charter. In particular, it seeks to bring together diverse entities and foster collaboration to further the UN’s goals for peace, human rights, global health, children, the environment, and sustainable development. The Global Innovation Commons believes that open source solutions can considerably enable Friends of the United Nations and its partners in these endeavors. As a first step in promoting the UN’s use of public domain technologies as sources of effective and innovative solutions to global problems, the Global Innovation Commons has made available a list of patent disclosures and open source technologies that target treatment of Buruli Ulcer.

Although Buruli Ulcer is a member of the same bacterial family as tuberculosis and leprosy, it has received much less attention. While exact numbers of people affected are unknown, the prevalence and severity of reported cases makes it one of the most neglected treatable tropical diseases. The Buruli Ulcer bacteria produce a destructive toxin called mycolatone, which causes tissue damage and inhibits the body’s immune response. Infection often results in significant destruction of skin and soft tissues around the infected areas, typically on the arms and legs. If left without early treatment, Buruli Ulcer will cause long-term functional disability, restriction of joint movement, as well as severe cosmetic damage. We invite anyone with knowledge or experience in the field of global health to join our discussion. 

More on the Friends of the United Nations: HERE

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