DNDi response to Government of Japan replenishment of The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund

Tokyo, Japan — 1 Jun 2016

Non-profit research and development organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) welcomes the G7-related announcement from the Government of Japan to replenish the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) for research and development to combat infectious diseases including neglected tropical diseases.

“GHIT is a valuable initiative that has generated multiple innovative collaborations between Japan and leading organizations throughout the world to support research and development projects aimed at delivering better treatments to people suffering from neglected diseases,” said Dr Bernard Pécoul, DNDi Executive Director. “We are excited by the recent announcement and generous contribution of US$130 million to the GHIT Fund by the Japanese Government. Today, this innovative mechanism is essential to engage public and private partners to advance R&D for poverty-related diseases.”

“The GHIT Fund builds on Japan’s excellent science, technology and expertise to support R&D projects on neglected tropical diseases.” said Professor Haruki Yamada, Chairman of the Board, DNDi Japan. “GHIT has been promoting research collaborations between product development partnerships such as DNDi, pharmaceutical companies, universities, and research institutions in Japan. DNDi has been conducting multiple projects thanks to GHIT’s support, and we look forward to further development of projects in the future.”

DNDi projects supported by the GHIT Fund to date include:

Preclinical studies on a better treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (GeneDesign), 2016
A lead optimisation project to advance a drug candidate for visceral leishmaniasis (Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited), 2015
The Drug Discovery Booster experiment to accelerate discovery of new drugs for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease (Eisai, Shionogi & Co., Takeda), 2015
A clinical development project on Chagas disease in South America (Eisai), 2014
Screening for drug candidates for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease with individual companies and institutions (Eisai, Takeda, Kitasato Institute, Institute of Microbial Chemistry), 2013; (agreement extended to Daiichi Sankyo and Eisai), 2016