Vision & Mission

Founded in 2003 to address the needs of patients with the most neglected diseases, DNDi is a collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, not-for-profit drug R&D organization.

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.

In December 2011, the Board of Directors decided that while maintaining its full commitment to neglected
diseases such as sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease, DNDi will conclude its malaria
activities by 2014, maintaining emphasis on technology transfer and sustained access, and take on new
activities in the fields of paediatric HIV and specific helminth infections.