A Strategic Partnership for Medicine Creation and Access to Medicine for Neglected Tropical Diseases

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are communicable diseases that are uncommon in developed countries but epidemic in developing countries of the tropical and subtropical regions around the world. One of the important contributions expected of pharmaceutical companies is the development and provision of drugs effective against NTDs. Firstly, Eisai has distributed at price zero to endemic countries worldwide diethylcarbamazine (DEC) tablets for patients suffering with lymphatic filariasis (LF). Eisai's efforts toward improving global health have resulted in a rich portfolio of assets addressing six infectious diseases: malaria, tuberculosis, Chagas disease, LF, leishmaniasis, and mycetoma. As the most advanced project, Eisai has developed E1224, which is available in both intravenous and oral formulations, and delivers ravuconazole, the active form of fosravuconazole, with a long plasma half-life. The first clinical trials of E1224 for Chagas disease have already been completed, led by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). As a result, parasite clearance was observed with E1224 during the treatment phase, but parasite regrowth was observed after the end of drug administration. On the other hand, a clinical trial for eumycetoma in collaboration with DNDi is ongoing supported by the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund. In this manner, Eisai will continue its Medicine Creation research projects in collaboration with various Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) and academia.