In keeping with DNDi’s belief that there should be increased public responsibility and involvement in neglected diseases, the Founding Partners are primarily from the public sector. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Working Group approached and secured the participation of Founding Partners on the basis of their historical involvement in tropical diseases, and their interest and expertise in different aspects of R&D for neglected diseases, including advocacy, discovery and drug development. The social mission of the various organizations and their proximity to the needs of patients were also vital considerations. DNDi’s Founding Partners are:

Established in 1911, it was re-designated in 1949 as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Funded by the Government of India, ICMR’s activities are focused on the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research. The Council has a network of 21 Permanent Research Institutes located in different parts of India that conduct research on tuberculosis, leprosy, and visceral leishmaniasis.

Established in France in 1887, the Pasteur Institut is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of diseases. It focuses on diseases like yellow fever, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS. With 8 Nobel Prizes awarded to its researchers, the Pasteur Institut is on the forefront of medical research with discoveries of antitoxins, BCG, sulfamides, and antihistamines, as well as key research in molecular biology and genetic engineering.

Established in 1979, KEMRI conducts health sciences research and shares its research findings with the international community. One of the leading health research institutions in Africa, KEMRI has and continues to make a significant contribution to regional research capacity. KEMRI has a focus on infectious and parasitic diseases, and on public health and biotechnology research.

MSF is an independent, private, medical aid organisation that has been operational in emergency medical aid missions around the world since 1971. With offices in 19 countries and ongoing activities in over 80, MSF has also run the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines since 1999. MSF has received numerous international awards for its activities, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. MSF dedicated this prize to finding long-term, sustainable solutions to the lack of essential medicines crisis (which ultimately led to the founding of DNDi in 2003).

The Institut for Medical Research (IMR), within the Ministry, was established in 1900 to carry out scientific and sustained research into the causes, treatment and prevention of infectious tropical diseases. Initially, it focuses on malaria, beriberi, cholera, and dysentery. The IMR is now comprised of 8 centres which perform research, diagnostic services, training, and consultative services across diverse health fields.

Founded in 1900, Fiocruz is the largest biomedical research institution in Latin America. Part of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Fiocruz has facilitated health tool R&D for neglected diseases via the establishment of dedicated centres for vaccine and drug development: Biomanguinhos and Farmanguinhos. Farmanguinhos/ Fiocruz, one of the largest pharmaceutical laboratories in Brazil, has a long history of drug production in the field of neglected diseases, particularly for AIDS and now with the development of the antimalarial, ASMQ.

As an independent global programme of scientific collaboration, established in 1975 and co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), TDR aims to help coordinate, support, and influence global efforts to combat a portfolio of major diseases of the poor and disadvantaged. TDR is a permanent observer of DNDi’s Board of Directors.