Researchers from Imperial College London and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) met on 19 January to strengthen a growing partnership focused on developing new treatments, diagnostics and digital tools for diseases that disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Despite affecting more than a billion people worldwide, neglected diseases often receive far less research funding and public attention than other global health threats. Many are preventable or treatable, but a lack of affordable medicines, diagnostics and health system support means they continue to cause long-term illness, disability and early death.
Held ahead of World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, the meeting brought together experts in infectious disease, drug discovery, epidemiology and artificial intelligence (AI) to explore shared priorities and new opportunities for collaboration – from laboratory research to clinical trials, policy and access.
Translating science into access
A key focus of the meeting was how research can directly inform treatment strategies and health policy. Attendees shared progress in hepatitis B and C, including work on new drug regimens, modelling drug resistance, and economic analyses to support elimination programmes.
Researchers also explored opportunities across dengue, fungal infections, sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, including developing new medicines and diagnostics, improving disease surveillance, and forecasting outbreaks.
Speakers highlighted the growing role of AI in speeding up both discovery and delivery, including:
- Machine learning to optimise drug development
- Image-based diagnostics for parasitic and skin diseases
- AI-enabled clinical decision tools for antibiotic prescribing and sepsis care
These technologies offer new ways to scale impact in settings where resources and laboratory infrastructure are limited.
Training the next generation
The meeting also showcased the Imperial–DNDi student placement scheme, which enables students to work on real-world global health challenges through joint supervision and collaborative research projects.
Recent projects have already contributed to published outputs and policy-relevant analysis, with plans to expand the scheme into data science, AI, chemistry and translational research.
Professor Graham Cooke, Deputy Dean of Imperial’s Faculty of Medicine, said: ‘DNDi is a fantastic organization that shares Imperial’s commitment to apply world-class science to the challenges that affect some of the most disadvantaged communities. Through closer collaboration, we can help ensure that discoveries translate into therapies for patients around the world.‘
Dr Craig Tipple, Medical Director of DNDi, added: ‘Partnerships like this are essential to accelerating progress for people affected by neglected diseases. By working more closely with Imperial, we can combine deep scientific expertise with a clear focus on patient needs, strengthening the pathway from discovery to delivery to ensure innovation that leads to real, equitable impact in the communities that need it most.‘
DNDi is a non-profit research and development organization dedicated to improving treatment options for neglected diseases. Imperial brings world-leading expertise in discovery science, modelling, AI and global health. Together, the two organizations aim to close the gap between scientific innovation and real-world impact.
Photo credit: Imperial College London
