The theme for World TB Day 2010 is innovation. This year’s campaign will focus on individuals around the world who have found new ways to stop TB and can serve as an inspiration to others. The idea is to recognize people who have introduced a variety of innovations in a variety of settings.

This is a great moment to start a wider discussion — through this forum — about the TB drug pipeline. It’s clear that a faster, simpler cure for TB will save lives and have tremendous benefit for everyone in the world. Sharing information on drug candidates and promising compounds will surely advance our progress.

We invite you also to share your stories of innovation and progress — and read about what people around the world are doing in preparation for World TB Day — on the World TB Day blog, www.worldtbday.org.

— Dr. Marcos Espinal, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership.