references
HEPATITIS C
R&D MODEL & PORTFOLIO
more than 86%transmitted parenterally through exchange of body fluids, mostly through (HCV). HCV is of all new infections in sub-Saharan Africa exposure to contaminated blood. Most patients are unaware of their infection status and children under 15 years beyond reach in most developing furthermore, access to treatment remains of age died of AIDS-related illness countries where the burden of disease is the greatest, and no vaccine is available. in 2014 globally
2.6 million children below thedisease5causedwithinfection with the hepatitis C virus age of living HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C is an inflammatory liver by
What is hepatitis C ?
130-150
globally have chronic HCV infection, of which
million people
150,000
The incubation period for hepatitis C infection lasts from 2 weeks to 6 months. Approximately 15-20% of people clear the infection spontaneously. While they have developed HCV-specific antibodies, after a few months HCV RNA can no longer be detected in their blood. However, about 75-85 % of newly infected people develop chronic infection; HCV infects their liver cells and can cause severe inflammation of the liver with long-term complications. About 60-70% of chronically infected people develop chronic liver disease; 5-20% develop cirrhosis within the first two decades of infection and 5% liver cancer. In addition to liver disease, HCV persistent infection is associated with chronic fatigue, diabetes, depression, cryoglobulinaemia, and kidney disease. Due to the high genetic heterogeneity of HCV, it is classified into six major genotypes. Disease expression and response to therapy may vary according to the genotype.
live in lowand middle-income countries
85% 2.3
million people
suffer from HIV/HCV co-infection worldwide
What are the current treatments and their limitations? Up until 2011, pegylated-interferon with ribavirin was the standard treatment for chronic HCV, but management of the treatment is complex and many patients do not finish their 48-week treatment course because interferon is not well tolerated and can be difficult to access in some settings. Recent scientific advances have led to the development of new antiviral drugs for HCV, the direct acting antivirals (DAAs), which have revolutionized the therapeutic landscape. In recognition of this, in 2016 the WHO updated its treatment guidelines to recommend that DAA regimens be used for the treatment of people with hepatitis C infection rather than regimens with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. DAAs are much more effective (with cure rates of >95% in clinical trials, including in previously hard-to-treat populations), safer, and better tolerated than existing therapies. Their use has simplified HCV treatment by decreasing the duration of treatment, simplifying monitoring and laboratory requirements, and increasing cure rates. However, despite the low cost of production, access to these treatments remains quite limited, due mostly to the high price charged by innovator pharmaceutical companies.
500,000
deaths per year
from HCV-related liver diseases
WHAT IS DNDi DOING TO ADDRESS UNMET TREATMENT NEEDS?
