Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi)

Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is a collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, non-profit drug research and development (R&D) organization that is developing new treatments for Neglected Diseases. Vision To improve the quality of life and the health of people suffering from neglected diseases by using an alternative model to develop drugs for these diseases and by ensuring equitable access to new and field-relevant health tools. In this not-for-profit model, driven by the public sector, a variety of players collaborate to raise awareness of the need to research and develop drugs for those neglected diseases that fall outside the scope of market-driven R&D. They also build public responsibility and leadership in addressing the needs of these patients. Mission To develop new drugs, or new formulations of existing drugs, for patients suffering from the most neglected communicable diseases. Acting in the public interest, DNDi will bridge existing R&D gaps in essential drugs for these diseases by initiating and coordinating drug R&D projects in collaboration with the international research community, the public sector, the pharmaceutical industry, and other relevant partners. DNDi’s primary focus has been the development of drugs for the most neglected diseases, such as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, or sleeping sickness), visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), and Chagas disease, while considering engagement in R&D projects for other neglected diseases or development of diagnostics and/or vaccines to address unmet needs that others are unable or unwilling to address. In pursuing these goals, DNDi will manage R&D networks built on South-South and North-South collaborations. While using the existing support capacities in countries where the diseases are endemic, DNDi will help to build additional capacity in a sustainable manner through technology transfer in the field of drug R&D for neglected diseases.  Diseases DNDi is working on the following diseases: Leishmaniasis Sleeping Sickness (human African trypanosomiasis HAT) Chagas disease Malaria Paediatric HIV Helminth Infections Achievements Working in partnership with private industry, public institutions, academia and NGOs, DNDi has built the largest ever R&D portfolio for the kinetoplastid diseases and has currently underway five projects in Implementation stage, seven in the clinical, and seven in the pre-clinical. Partners DNDi initiates and coordinates drug R&D projects in collaboration with the international research community the public sector the pharmaceutical industry and other relevant partners.