Inder Singh (philanthropist)
Encyclopedia
Inder Singh is Executive Vice President of the multi-national Clinton Health Access Initiative
, a global not-for-profit organization fighting malaria
and other diseases. Mr. Singh has become known for his worldwide presence actions for global health, particularly regarding malaria eradication. He is credited with saving over $500 million in drug costs for developing nations. More than 2.6 million HIV/AIDS patients have received drugs subsidized through the Clinton Health Access Initiative ("CHAI"), and more than 30 million malaria patients have received drugs produced at lower cost thanks to CHAI licensing deals.
, a key anti-malarial ingredient, at 70% below the then-current market price. By reducing the price, it was possible to provide malaria treatment to 12 million additional residents of Africa
and south Asia
. Malaria currently afflicts between 300 million and 500 million people per year and kills more than 700,000.
Equally importantly, Singh has become a prominent speaker before national and international bodies. For example, in both March and May 2010, he advocated before the World Health Organization
for improved HIV/AIDS access in developing nations. In 2011, he was the keynote speaker before a blue-ribbon group at the University of Pennsylvania
to advocacy greater U.S. involvement in global healthcare.
, a small town near Pittsburgh. His parents were immigrants from the Punjab and Lahore
regions of India. Visits to their homes in India inspired Mr. Singh to become an advocate for global drug development. Mr. Singh holds five post-secondary degrees. He first attended the University of Michigan
, where he graduated magna cum laude. While an undergraduate student, Mr. Singh founded the charity Dance Marathon, Inc., which has raised more than $2.5 million dollars to support childhood rehabilitiation hospitals. He then gained degrees from the MIT Sloan School of Management
and the Harvard Kennedy School, and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology. He worked briefly at for-profit startup companies in Silicon Valley
before joining the Clinton Foundation. Prior to becoming Executive Vice President of CHAI, Mr. Singh served as Director of Drug Access at the Clinton Foundation.
Clinton Foundation
The William J. Clinton Foundation is a foundation established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." The Foundation focuses on four critical areas:...
, a global not-for-profit organization fighting malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and other diseases. Mr. Singh has become known for his worldwide presence actions for global health, particularly regarding malaria eradication. He is credited with saving over $500 million in drug costs for developing nations. More than 2.6 million HIV/AIDS patients have received drugs subsidized through the Clinton Health Access Initiative ("CHAI"), and more than 30 million malaria patients have received drugs produced at lower cost thanks to CHAI licensing deals.
Global Health
Mr. Singh is a noted anti-malaria advocate and administrator. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Clinton Health Access Initiative (also known as "CHAI" and formerly part of the Clinton Foundation). CHAI is one of the largest and most prominent anti-malaria organizations in the world, and it also works to reduce HIV/AIDS and other transmittable diseases. Through CHAI, Mr. Singh has overseen the distribution of millions of dollars in anti-malaria supplies and equipment. CHAI also works to enable longer-term development and licensing of anti-malarial drugs. In 2008, Mr. Singh gained note for negotiating a licensing agreement to allow the production of artemisininArtemisinin
Artemisinin , also known as Qinghaosu , and its derivatives are a group of drugs that possess the most rapid action of all current drugs against falciparum malaria. Treatments containing an artemisinin derivative are now standard treatment worldwide for falciparum malaria...
, a key anti-malarial ingredient, at 70% below the then-current market price. By reducing the price, it was possible to provide malaria treatment to 12 million additional residents of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and south Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. Malaria currently afflicts between 300 million and 500 million people per year and kills more than 700,000.
Equally importantly, Singh has become a prominent speaker before national and international bodies. For example, in both March and May 2010, he advocated before the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
for improved HIV/AIDS access in developing nations. In 2011, he was the keynote speaker before a blue-ribbon group at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
to advocacy greater U.S. involvement in global healthcare.
Early Life and Education
Mr. Singh was born in Ross Township, PennsylvaniaRoss Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Ross Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 31,105 at the 2010 census. In September 2007, Ross Township adopted the Strong Mayor/Weak Council form of government allowed by Pennsylvania statutes for townships of its class.The township is part of...
, a small town near Pittsburgh. His parents were immigrants from the Punjab and Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
regions of India. Visits to their homes in India inspired Mr. Singh to become an advocate for global drug development. Mr. Singh holds five post-secondary degrees. He first attended the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, where he graduated magna cum laude. While an undergraduate student, Mr. Singh founded the charity Dance Marathon, Inc., which has raised more than $2.5 million dollars to support childhood rehabilitiation hospitals. He then gained degrees from the MIT Sloan School of Management
MIT Sloan School of Management
The MIT Sloan School of Management is the business school of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
and the Harvard Kennedy School, and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology. He worked briefly at for-profit startup companies in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
before joining the Clinton Foundation. Prior to becoming Executive Vice President of CHAI, Mr. Singh served as Director of Drug Access at the Clinton Foundation.