The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize a non-exclusive framework of cooperation to promote programmes and projects in the field of healthcare across Asia and the Pacific. The collaboration aims to jointly focus on shared strategic and operational priorities, including neglected diseases with increasing prevalence due to climate change such as leishmaniasis and dengue; pandemic preparedness; and technology transfer for local manufacturing. 

The MoU was signed by Ayako Inagaki, Senior Director, Human and Social Development Sector Office, ADB; Dr Kavita Singh, Continental Lead Asia and South Asia Director, DNDi, and Ms Thi Hanh Cao, External Relations Director, DNDi. 

‘This collaboration with DNDi supports ADB’s efforts to help developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific address the health impacts of neglected diseases and improve preparedness for future pandemics,’ said Ayako Inagaki, Senior Director, Human and Social Development Sector Office, ADB.

The MoU also focuses on enhancing gender-responsive research and development and developing therapeutics for pediatric populations living with neglected diseases. It commits to ensuring that innovations in control, diagnosis, therapeutics, and surveillance of neglected diseases are sex and gender-responsive, using sex-disaggregated data and gender analysis to understand and address differences in exposure risks, disease susceptibilities, prevention and treatment behaviors, and preferences in product design.

‘This partnership with ADB reflects our shared focus on advancing, scaling, and improving access to innovations for climate-sensitive diseases across Asia and the Pacific. Dengue, in particular, remains a growing challenge, impacting many countries and demands urgent attention. This joint effort also prioritizes the critical importance of technology transfer for local manufacturing and the need to build therapeutic coalitions for pandemic preparedness,’ said Dr Kavita Singh, Asia Continental Lead & Office Director, DNDi.