The non-profit medical research organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) welcomes continued financial support from the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund, with a new grant of approximately JPY 155 million (approximately EUR 837,000), for its collaboration with Eisai Co., Ltd. (Eisai) and the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) to advance drug discovery targeting flavivirus diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus disease.
Building on a GHIT-supported screening project launched in 2024, Eisai and DNDi identified several compounds with activity against dengue and Zika viruses. This hit-to-lead project aims to optimize these compounds to progress promising lead compounds for development of new antiviral treatments.
Two key aspects of the project make it particularly innovative. Firstly, it aims to develop antiviral drugs by targeting a novel mechanism of action for flavivirus infections for which no approved treatments currently exist. This approach has the potential to expand future treatment options and build a stronger foundation to address drug resistance and emerging viral threats. Secondly, the project leverages AI-supported drug discovery approaches. By combining predictive AI models for compound profiling with generative AI, DNDi and its partners aim to optimize both antiviral activity and the drug property profile efficiently, potentially identifying promising lead compounds and reducing the number of ‘design-make-test’ cycles compared with traditional medicinal chemistry approaches. This AI-enabled approach is particularly valuable in neglected disease research, where resources are limited and may become a model for future drug discovery efforts.
Eisai leads the effort for this project and its AI‑driven medicinal chemistry approach. DNDi conducts evaluation of antiviral efficacy and assessment of safety pharmacology to support selection of promising lead compounds. JIHS, which has newly joined the project, evaluates antiviral activity across various viral strains and cell lines and examines the mechanisms of action of candidate compounds.
Dengue fever and Zika virus disease are major flavivirus diseases prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America. Like malaria, these diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes. Climate change – including rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns – is increasing the geographic spread and scale of outbreaks of these mosquito-borne diseases. Billions of people worldwide are at risk of infection, and in the absence of effective antiviral therapies, there is an urgent need for new medicines that can prevent disease progression.
For more information about Dengue and DNDi’s work on the disease, please visit:
Dengue | DNDi
About DNDi
The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is a not-for-profit medical research organization that discovers, develops, and delivers safe, effective, and affordable treatments for neglected populations. DNDi is developing medicines for sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, parasitic worm diseases, mycetoma, dengue, paediatric HIV, cryptococcal meningitis, and hepatitis C. Its research priorities include children’s health; gender equity and gender-responsive R&D; and diseases impacted by climate change. Since its creation in 2003, DNDi has collaborated with public and private partners worldwide to deliver new treatments for six deadly diseases, saving millions of lives. Acoziborole is the 14th treatment delivered by DNDi. dndi.org
Media contacts
Yoko Noda (DNDi Tokyo)
ynoda@dndi.org
Phone: +81 70 4465 5453
Frédéric Ojardias (DNDi Geneva)
fojardias@dndi.org
Phone: +41 79 431 6216
Photo credit: Vinicius Berger-DNDi
