WHO R&D Portal

The health research and development (R&D) portal links to WHO’s key resources for health product development. Resources can be searched by disease for information such as analyses, clinical trials underway, target product profiles, and links to relevant WHO databases and resources for more Information.

Epidemic of Ebola Disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda determined a public health emergency of international concern

WHO has announced a PHEIC. Advice to States Parties where the event is occurring include research and development of medical countermeasures. Specifically, to implement clinical trials to advance the development and use of candidate therapeutics and vaccine, supported by partners. (May 2026)

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World Health Assembly endorses resolution on precision medicine

At the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, Member States endorsed a new resolution on Precision medicine: a path towards targeted, personalized and equitable care, taking an important step towards advancing precision medicine as part of efforts to strengthen equitable, effective and sustainable health systems. (May 2026)

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Woman in WHO vest holding smiling infant

R&D roadmaps for pathogen families to reduce uncertainty about the next pandemic and boost coordinated global R&D preparedness

In support of efforts to have safe and effective diagnostics, treatments and vaccines ready for distribution before the next pandemic strikes, WHO launched today, together with partners, research and development roadmaps for 10 viral families and a group of bacteria. The event highlighted how a One Health and Pathogen Family-based approach can strengthen epidemic and pandemic preparedness, including through WHO’s Collaborative Open Research Consortia. (April 2026)

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Portrait of researcher in personal protective equipment holding a pipette in a biocontainment hood

Who should use the R&D portal

Researchers

may learn about clinical trials and review guidance documents in their disease area

Patients

may understand the state and progress of research and clinical trials for their condition

Product developers

may learn about research priorities and seek scientific advice for product development

Funders

may determine gaps, needs and areas of opportunity for

Policymakers

may glean high-level overviews of research metrics by country and region

R&D databases

Global R&D statistics

Get a quick snapshot of key global R&D metrics such as funding and expenditure, researcher countries, and number of clinical trials.

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Global Observatory on Health R&D

Gross domestic R&D expenditure on health as % of GDP

Which regions are prioritizing health R&D in their budget? View the expenditure on health R&D as a percentage of GDP by WHO region.

This is a brief overview. For a more detailed analysis, please refer to the data source.

Data source: Gross domestic R&D expenditureon health (health GERD) as a percentage of GDP (who.int)

Data updated: May 2025

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Health researchers per million inhabitants

How many health researchers working full-time equivalents (FTE) are there per inhabitant in your region?

This is a brief overview. For a more detailed analysis, please refer to the data source.

Data source: Health researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants, by WHO Region

Data updated: June 2025

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Number of clinical trials by region in 2010 and 2022

How many clinical trials are undertaken in your region?

This is a brief overview. Hover mouse over a region to see data from 2010 and 2022. For a more detailed analysis, including a review of the distribution of the clinical trials in low-income countries versus high income countries, please refer to the data source

Data source: Number of clinical trials by year, country, WHO region and income group (1999-2022)

Data updated: March 2024

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Support and guidance

Interact with WHO to get active support and feedback at key milestones in the R&D cycle, or view relevant guidance documents at any time in your journey.