Visceral leishmaniasis
Developing a new generation of treatments for one of the world’s leading parasitic killers
Visceral leishmaniasis
Developing a new generation of treatments for one of the world’s leading parasitic killers
We delivered four new treatments using existing drugs to make treatment shorter, safer, and more effective. We are now working to revolutionize the standard of care, advancing an unprecedented portfolio of all-new potential drugs to treat people suffering from all forms of the disease.
Visceral leishmaniasis – also known as kala-azar – causes fever, weight loss, spleen and liver enlargement, and, if not treated, death. HIV infection increases the severity of the disease, heightening people’s risk of dying from visceral leishmaniasis.
Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) – a complication of visceral leishmaniasis that appears as a rash or skin condition months or years after successful visceral leishmaniasis treatment – is not deadly but can be disfiguring and stigmatizing.
In some regions affected by visceral leishmaniasis, treatments are poorly tolerated and lengthy, and can be toxic, painful, and costly.
‘The fever is too much. The headache is too much. There’s pain all over. I was started on treatment and it was another hell.’
Luke Kanyang’areng’ was diagnosed with leishmaniasis 30 years ago. Today, he’s the nursing officer in charge of the same facility where his life was saved. His hope for leishmaniasis is to have oral, simple treatments for his patients.
What we have achieved
We have delivered new treatments using existing drugs to make treatments shorter, safer and more effective.
Safe and shorter treatment for VL patients. In Brazil, DNDi collaborated with partners to implement a large clinical trial to assess a new combination therapy against current treatments. Liposomal amphotericin B was shown to be efficacious and safer for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis patients in Brazil.
New hope for a deadly co-infection. Studies conducted by DNDi, Médecins Sans Frontières, and partners in Ethiopia and India showed that a combination of miltefosine and liposomal amphotericin B had high efficacy rates for treating visceral leishmaniasis in people living with HIV.
Shorter, more affordable treatment. DNDi-led clinical trials showed a combination of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) and paromomycin was safe and as effective as treatment with SSG alone. The more affordable combination is easier for patients and cuts treatment time by nearly half.
Overcoming drug resistance and severe side effects. A DNDi-led consortium identified new combinations with cure rates above 95% to replace treatments with severe side effects or poor efficacy due to drug resistance. Trials generated the key evidence needed for policy change in South Asia.
What we’re doing for people with visceral leishmaniasis
We are working to deliver better combination treatments and new drugs. Together with our partners, we have built an unprecedented portfolio of six new chemical classes, with different mechanisms of action against Leishmania parasites.
The long-term goal: entirely new, oral drugs
Our goal is to radically transform therapy by developing patient-friendly, simple oral therapies that are short, affordable, safe and effective in children and adults in all regions. A novel consortium bringing together pharmaceutical industry, academia, research institutes, and PDPs is building an unprecedented portfolio of promising drug candidates.
Visceral leishmaniasis news & resources
Making medical history for neglected patients
We develop urgently needed treatments for neglected patients and ensure they’re affordable, available, and adapted to the communities who need them
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