• DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
  • Our work
    • Diseases
      • Sleeping sickness
      • Visceral leishmaniasis
      • Cutaneous leishmaniasis
      • Chagas disease
      • Filaria: river blindness
      • Mycetoma
      • Paediatric HIV
      • Cryptococcal meningitis
      • Hepatitis C
      • Dengue
      • COVID-19
      • Antimicrobial resistance
    • Research & development
      • R&D portfolio & list of projects
      • Drug discovery
      • Translational research
      • Clinical trials
      • Registration & access
      • Treatments delivered
    • Advocacy
      • Open and collaborative R&D
      • Transparency of R&D costs
      • Pro-access policies and IP
      • Children’s health
      • Gender equity
      • Climate change
      • AI and new technologies
  • Networks & partners
    • Partnerships
      • Our partners
      • Partnering with us
    • Global networks
      • Chagas Platform
      • Dengue Alliance
      • HAT Platform
      • HELP Helminth Elimination Platform
      • LEAP Platform
      • redeLEISH Network
    • DNDi worldwide
      • DNDi Switzerland
      • DNDi DRC
      • DNDi Eastern Africa
      • DNDi Japan
      • DNDi Latin America
      • DNDi North America
      • DNDi South Asia
      • DNDi South-East Asia
      • DNDi Southern Africa
  • News & resources
    • News & stories
      • News
      • Stories
      • Statements
      • Viewpoints
      • Social media
      • eNews Newsletter
    • Press
      • Press releases
      • In the media
    • Resources
      • Scientific articles
      • Our publications
      • Videos
    • Events
  • About us
    • About
      • Who we are
      • How we work
      • Our strategy
      • Our donors
      • Annual reports
    • Our people
      • Our leadership
      • Our governance
      • Contact us
    • Work with us
      • Working at DNDi
      • Job opportunities
      • Requests for proposal
  • Donate
DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
  • DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
  • Our work
    • Diseases
      • Sleeping sickness
      • Visceral leishmaniasis
      • Cutaneous leishmaniasis
      • Chagas disease
      • Filaria: river blindness
      • Mycetoma
      • Paediatric HIV
      • Cryptococcal meningitis
      • Hepatitis C
      • Dengue
      • COVID-19
      • Antimicrobial resistance
    • Research & development
      • R&D portfolio & list of projects
      • Drug discovery
      • Translational research
      • Clinical trials
      • Registration & access
      • Treatments delivered
    • Advocacy
      • Open and collaborative R&D
      • Transparency of R&D costs
      • Pro-access policies and IP
      • Children’s health
      • Gender equity
      • Climate change
      • AI and new technologies
  • Networks & partners
    • Partnerships
      • Our partners
      • Partnering with us
    • Global networks
      • Chagas Platform
      • Dengue Alliance
      • HAT Platform
      • HELP Helminth Elimination Platform
      • LEAP Platform
      • redeLEISH Network
    • DNDi worldwide
      • DNDi Switzerland
      • DNDi DRC
      • DNDi Eastern Africa
      • DNDi Japan
      • DNDi Latin America
      • DNDi North America
      • DNDi South Asia
      • DNDi South-East Asia
      • DNDi Southern Africa
  • News & resources
    • News & stories
      • News
      • Stories
      • Statements
      • Viewpoints
      • Social media
      • eNews Newsletter
    • Press
      • Press releases
      • In the media
    • Resources
      • Scientific articles
      • Our publications
      • Videos
    • Events
  • About us
    • About
      • Who we are
      • How we work
      • Our strategy
      • Our donors
      • Annual reports
    • Our people
      • Our leadership
      • Our governance
      • Contact us
    • Work with us
      • Working at DNDi
      • Job opportunities
      • Requests for proposal
  • Donate
Home > Events

A decade of R&D for Neglected Patients

October 3 2012

DNDi Asia

Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on print

Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Public event organized by DNDi and the Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Programme [PDF 6MB]  

09:30
Welcome address by Organising Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Haji Mohd Ismail Merican

09:45
Dr Bernard Pécoul, Executive Director, DNDi – Reflections on 10 Years of Challenges and Successes of the DNDi Partnership Model [PDF]

10:00
Keynote address by the Right Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia

Walking tour of photo exhibition: ‘A Decade of R&D for Neglected Patients in South East Asia’

10:30 – 11:10
Press Conference (media only)

11:15
Expert Panel: Strengthening the Portfolio of Fixed-Dose Combination ACTs – The Case of ASMQ

Chair:
Dr Pierre-Etienne Bost, Chair, DNDi‘s Scientific Advisory Committee, formerly Institut Pasteur, France

  • WHO Recommendations for Malaria Treatment – Focus on ACTs – Dr Lasse Vestergaard, WHO Medical Officer, based in Manila WPRO office
  • ACTs for Malaria in South East Asia: Benefits and Challenges – Professor François Nosten, Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Thailand
  • ASMQ FDC Development: A Partnership Approach [PDF] – Dr Jean-René Kiechel, Senior Pharma Advisor & Product Manager, DNDi
  • Technology Transfer of ASMQ from Malaysia to Brazil to India – Ana Rabello, Senior Researcher at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation – Fiocruz, Brazil
  • Investing in Neglected Diseases – ASMQ Implementation in South East Asia – Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Medical Director, Cipla Ltd, India
  • ASMQ in a South East Asia Public Health Perspective – Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, Deputy Director General of Health, Malaysia

12:15
Lunch

WHO Prequalifies A New Artemisinin-Based Combination Treatment (ACT) for Malaria. Artesunate-Mefloquine Fixed-Dose Combination (ASMQ FDC) to be rolled out throughout Asia

[Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mumbai, India, and Geneva, Switzerland – 3 October 2012]
Cipla, one of the leading generic pharmaceutical companies, along with the non-profit research and development organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) today announced the prequalification of the fixed dose combination (FDC) of Artesunate (AS) and Mefloquine (MQ) – ASMQ FDC – by the World Health Organization (WHO). This Cipla-manufactured ASMQ FDC is the first artesunate-mefloquine FDC to be prequalified by WHO and is recommended for the treatment of malaria.

‘The prequalification announcement is recognition that ASMQ FDC meets WHO’s high quality standards and we aim to make this treatment widely available throughout Asia’, commented Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Medical Director, Cipla.

‘The availability of ASMQ FDC will have a direct impact on patients, especially in Asia’, said Bernard Pécoul, Executive Director, DNDi. ‘It addresses an important public health need in the region as it forms part of the malaria treatment arsenal necessary to control the disease.’

This combination of AS and MQ is one of five Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) currently recommended by WHO for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, and is the first-line treatment in a number of South East Asian countries. ASMQ FDC was registered in India in 2011 and in Malaysia in early 2012. In India, about 18,000 adult patients have already been treated with this combination.

ASMQ FDC was originally developed by DNDi and the Brazilian government-owned pharmaceutical company Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz and was registered in Brazil in 2008. A South-South technology transfer between Farmanguinhos and Cipla was achieved in 2010 to facilitate the implementation of ASMQ FDC in Asia. Prequalification is a major milestone, as it indicates that ASMQ FDC meets WHO standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

In addition to being easy to use (a single daily dose of 1 or 2 tablets over three days), ASMQ FDC will increase patient compliance and contribute to reducing the risk of resistance development, as it ensures both drugs are taken together and in correct proportions (4 dosage forms based on age/weight dosing).

Scientific evidence supporting the development of ASMQ FDC derives from the well-established use of their combined administration, as demonstrated by clinical data including more than 11,000 patients. In 2009, a study in Myanmar comparing the effectiveness of the four fixed-dose ACTs, then recommended by WHO, showed that ASMQ FDC had the highest cure rate and the lowest rate of gametocyte carriage, providing the greatest post-treatment suppression of recurrent P. falciparum malaria and the most effective suppression of blood-stage P. vivax malaria.

The ASMQ FDC is manufactured in Cipla’s world class manufacturing facility in Patalganga, India, which is approved by WHO-Geneva, US FDA, MHRA-UK and various other regulatory bodies.

A prequalified status makes ASMQ FDC eligible to tenders that receive funding from international procurement agencies, such as UNICEF and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

* * *

About the WHO PQP

WHO PQP is the only global medicines quality assurance programme. Originally created with a focus on medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, the WHO PQP now also provides prequalification services for medicines and products for reproductive health and for zinc. Since 2001, over 240 medicines have been prequalified. WHO staff, together with experts from national regulatory authorities around the world, carefully review submitted dossiers. Inspectors are sent to the sites where the finished pharmaceutical product and its active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) are manufactured to verify they comply with WHO good manufacturing practice. The list of prequalified medicines has become a vital tool for all the international procurement agencies who, each year, bulk-purchase billions of US dollars’ worth of medicines for distribution in resource-limited countries.

About ASMQ FDC

The combination of AS and MQ, two well-established drugs for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, has proven its efficacy after 20 years of clinical use. However, the non-fixed dose combination posed problems of patient compliance and potential development of drug resistance. In order to address this, ASMQ FDC was developed by the Fixed-Dose Artesunate-Based Combination Therapies (FACT) Consortium, created by DNDi and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO-TDR) in 2002. Through an innovative partnership supported and facilitated by DNDi in 2008, Cipla entered into an agreement with Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz and will manufacture ASMQ FDC and ensure it is available at pre-agreed, affordable prices. ASMQ FDC was registered in Brazil in 2008, in India in 2011, and in Malaysia in early 2012. It is easy to use, with once daily administration of one or two tablets over three days for patients of all ages (from children aged 6 months through to adults) and has a two-year shelf-life in tropical conditions.
ASMQ FDC product web pages

About DNDi

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is a not-for-profit research and development organization working to deliver new treatments for neglected diseases, in particular sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis), Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, specific helminth (filarial) infections, malaria, and paediatric HIV. Since its inception in 2003, DNDi has delivered six treatments: two fixed-dose antimalarials (ASAQ and ASMQ), nifurtimox-eflornithine combination therapy (NECT) for late-stage sleeping sickness, sodium stibogluconate and paromomycin (SSG&PM) combination therapy for visceral leishmaniasis in Africa, a set of combination therapies for visceral leishmaniasis in Asia, and a paediatric dosage form of benznidazole for Chagas disease. DNDi has helped establish three clinical research platforms: Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP) in Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda; the HAT Platform based in Africa for sleeping sickness; and the Chagas Clinical Research Platform in Latin America.
www.dndi.org

About Cipla

Cipla laid foundations for the Indian pharmaceutical industry back in 1935 with the vision to make India self-reliant in healthcare. Over the years Cipla has emerged as one of the most respected names not just in India but worldwide. Its state of the art R&D centre has given the country and the world many firsts. This includes the revolutionary AIDS cocktail for less than a dollar a day. With over 34 manufacturing units across the country, Cipla manufactures over 2000 products in 65 therapies.

With a turnover of over US $ 1.4 billion, Cipla serves doctors and patients in over 170 countries. It has earned a name for maintaining one global standard across all its products and services. Cipla continues to support, improve and save millions of lives with its high-quality drugs and innovative devices. www.cipla.com

Media contacts:

Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

Hana Bilak, PhD
Scientific Communications Manager
hbilak@dndi.org
Tel: +41 22 906 92 50
Mobile: +41 79 128 52 41

Violaine Dällenbach
Press & Communications Manager
vdallenbach@dndi.org
Tel: +41 22 906 92 47
Mobile: +41 79 424 14 74

Cipla

Antara Mukherjee
Head – Corporate Communications
Tel: +91 22 23025810
E Mail: antara.mukherjee@cipla.com

Jaisingh Balakrishnan
Corporate Communications
Tel: +91 22 23025813
E Mail: jaisingh.krishnan@cipla.com

The Minister of Health, Malaysia, launched ASMQ FC in Asia as well as DNDi’s 10-year anniversary
In the presence of the Minister of Health of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Haji Mohd Ismail Merican, Organizing Chairman and member of the Board of Directors, DNDi, Prof. Dato’ Omar Osman, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Dr Bernard Pécoul, Executive Director, DNDi

Photos

Click to download

alt
alt
alt
alt
alt
alt
alt
alt
alt
alt
alt
alt

Other events

Loading...
8-12 May 2023

Lisbon, Portugal and online

ESPID 2023

13 April 2023, 2 PM London

London, United Kingdom

Ending the neglect of Chagas disease in the UK

11-12 April 2023

Barcelona, Spain and online

XVIII Jornadas sobre la enfermedad de Chagas

27-31 March 2023

Online

Global meeting on skin-related neglected tropical diseases

See all

Stay connected

Get our latest news, personal stories, research articles, and job opportunities. 

DNDi - Best Science for the Most Neglected 20 Years
Facebook-f
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin-in
Youtube
International non-profit developing safe, effective, and affordable treatments for the most neglected patients.

Learn more

  • Diseases
  • Neglected tropical diseases
  • R&D portfolio
  • Policy advocacy

Get in touch

  • Our offices
  • Contact us
  • Integrity Line

Support us

  • Donate
  • Subscribe to eNews

Work with us

  • Join research networks
  • Jobs
  • RFPs
  • Terms of Use   
  •   Acceptable Use Policy   
  •   Privacy Policy   
  •   Cookie Policy   
  •   Our policies   

  • Except for images, films and trademarks which are subject to DNDi’s Terms of Use, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Switzerland License   
We use cookies to track our audience and improve our content. By clicking 'Accept All', you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click on 'Customize' to accept only some cookies.
Customize
REJECT ACCEPT ALL
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category .
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
CookieLawInfoConsent1 yearRecords the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie.
PHPSESSIDsessionThis cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
CookieDurationDescription
elementorneverThis cookie is used by the website's WordPress theme. It allows the website owner to implement or change the website's content in real-time.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_ga_16Q5RH3XRG2 yearsThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics.
_gat_UA-10302561-11 minuteA variation of the _gat cookie set by Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to allow website owners to track visitor behaviour and measure site performance. The pattern element in the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to.
_gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
_hjAbsoluteSessionInProgress30 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to detect the first pageview session of a user. This is a True/False flag set by the cookie.
_hjFirstSeen30 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to identify a new user’s first session. It stores a true/false value, indicating whether it was the first time Hotjar saw this user.
_hjIncludedInPageviewSample2 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to know whether a user is included in the data sampling defined by the site's pageview limit.
_hjIncludedInSessionSample2 minutesHotjar sets this cookie to know whether a user is included in the data sampling defined by the site's daily session limit.
_hjSession_112884430 minutesHotjar sets this cookie.
_hjSessionUser_11288441 yearHotjar sets this cookie.
CONSENT2 yearsYouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data.
Targeting
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo