active
ACTIVE SINCE: 2015

Neglected Tropical Disease Drug Discovery Booster

This multi-company collaborative project with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) is focused on finding new treatments for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.
SGDS CONTRIBUTING TO:
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MEMBER COMPANIES:
Global NGOs 1
Pharma (non-IFPMA member) 1
Objectives

Accelerate the process and reduce the cost of finding new treatments for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

Leishmaniasis is a potentially fatal parasitic disease caused by various species of sandflies. The disease, which occurs in multiple forms, is prominent among the poorest people on earth and can result in malnutrition, population displacement and overall poor economic well-being of communities.

Chagas disease is primarily transmitted by large, blood-sucking insects widely known as “the kissing bugs” in endemic countries. In the initial, acute phase of disease, 5% of infected children die. The chronic phase of disease, which develops in 10-30% of infected individuals, can cause damage to the heart.  Current treatment lasts 8 weeks and many patients fail to complete the course. A shorter course therapy would help improve success rates for treatment.

In this collaboration, compound libraries from partner organizations are searched to find those with potential to treat these diseases. The process is both multilateral and iterative: partner companies continually examine their libraries for better matches as each search is refined. This significantly reduces the time it takes to find new, promising treatment leads and potentially reduces attrition.

Results and milestones

Since its creation in 2015, the Booster has gone through 45 iterations, generating 13 hit series, of which six have progressed to in vivo proof-of-concept studies for Chagas disease or leishmaniasis.

Geographic Reach
  • Global Commitment
Disease Area
  • Infectious and Parasitic Disease
See Disease Areas
Partner organizations
Global NGOs

Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)

Pharma (non-IFPMA member)

Abbvie