Foundation

The Swiss Foundation for Tuberculosis Research (SwissTB) is a non-for profit organization that was founded on October 16th, 2001. The aim of the Foundation is to support and advance research on tuberculosis in Switzerland, and to promote the exchange of information and the collaboration between the different research groups in Switzerland.

The aim of the SwissTB Foundation is to encourage research against tuberculosis - a contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Today, more than one third of the world’s population is infected with M. tuberculosis, and tuberculosis kills two million of men, women, and children every year. Multiresistant tuberculosis has emerged as a life-threatening disease that is very difficult to treat, even in countries with highly developed health care systems. Every one of us should be concerned by the progression of these multiresistant forms throughout the world and especially by the alarming situation in the developing countries, where the number of tuberculosis deaths is steadily increasing.

The recent scientific advances in genetics, microbiology, and immunology have opened the way to new preventive and therapeutic approaches against infectious diseases. The complete genome sequence of M. tuberculosis, which has recently been deciphered, makes it possible to develop a range of vaccine candidates that should be more efficient and safer than BCG and to design novel antituberculous drugs. More precise understanding of how M. tuberculosis infects, inhabits, and destroys our body helps us to set up rational battle plans to fight this killer pathogen.

We believe that Switzerland hosts excellent scientists, who can decisively contribute to resolve the tuberculosis problem. Research on tuberculosis has been neglected in the past. Today, many tuberculosis research projects receive limited funding from the Swiss Universities or the Swiss National Research Foundation. However, to accelerate the progress of research and to implement the results, more substantial means are needed. Therefore, SwissTB supports fundamental research on better vaccines, drugs, and other efficient strategies against M. tuberculosis.

SwissTB is a Member of the StopTB Partnership.