The global not-for-profit medical research organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) has been awarded the fifth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in the medical services category in a ceremony held today in Tokyo in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan and hosted by Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan.
The Prize is awarded every three years. It was established by the Government of Japan in honour of the medical scientist Dr Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), who devoted his life to bacteriological research and died while studying yellow fever in Africa. DNDi is being recognized for its work in developing and delivering new treatments for neglected diseases, especially human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness.
‘By tirelessly working to find medicines for ravaging infectious diseases – even losing his life in the process – Dr Hideyo Noguchi set a stellar example that we humbly work to follow and celebrate,’ said Dr Luis Pizarro, DNDi Executive Director, during his speech at the ceremony. ‘Almost one hundred years after his death, many of these diseases are still neglected. This is why we were created 22 years ago, to bring the best medical innovation to the most neglected patients.’
Dr Pizarro thanked the Prize Committee and the Government of Japan and noted that many key partners working with DNDi are Japanese universities and Japanese pharmaceutical companies. ‘Together, you are giving us hope that deadly neglected diseases can be eliminated altogether, bringing us every day closer to Dr Noguchi’s dream,’ he concluded.
Since its creation in 2003, DNDi has developed and delivered 13 new treatments for neglected diseases such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, including the first-ever oral treatment for sleeping sickness, a deadly neglected disease endemic in Africa.
‘These achievements are possible thanks to the commitment of our partners in academia, industry, donors, and governments. This truly demonstrates the power of science and global solidarity,’ said Daisuke Imoto, DNDi Japan and Business Development Director. ‘These values, which were so dear to Dr Noguchi, are especially vital today, as global health infrastructure is weakened by massive aid cuts and trust in science is being challenged.’
The other laureate of the fifth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in the medical research category is Dr Abdoulaye Djimdé, from the Republic of Mali, for his contributions to the treatment and control of malaria. Previous laureates include Dr Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum from the DRC, Prof. Miriam K. Were from Kenya, Prof. Peter Piot from Belgium, Dr Salim S. Abdool Karim and Dr Quarraisha Abdool Karim from South Africa, and the Guinea Worm Eradication Program of the Carter Center.
‘I would like to particularly thank the Committee and the Government of Japan for this unique opportunity to give visibility to the millions of people affected by neglected tropical diseases, especially on the African continent. These patients must not be forgotten,’ said Dr Wilfried Kalonji Mutombo, DNDi’s Head of Clinical Operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who came to Tokyo to represent DNDi at the award ceremony.
‘Neglected diseases cause pain, disability, stigma, and often death. We urgently need better medicines for our patients – and for that, we need medical innovation. We must make sure that research continues to receive the support it needs, even in the current global health context,’ he added.
The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize coincides with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), which is held every three years, alternately in Africa and Japan. The Prize is accompanied by a citation, a medal, and 100 million yen.
About the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (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 people. DNDi is developing medicines for sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, river blindness, mycetoma, dengue, paediatric HIV, advanced HIV disease, 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 joined with public and private partners across the globe to deliver 13 new treatments, saving millions of lives. dndi.org
Media contacts
In Tokyo
Yoko Noda (Japanese/English)
ynoda@dndi.org
+81 70 4465 5453
In Nairobi
Edith Magak (English)
emagak@dndi.org
+254 780 862 049
In Geneva
Frederic Ojardias (French/English)
fojardias@dndi.org
+41 79 431 6216
Photo credit: Lameck Ododo-DNDi; The 5th Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Award Ceremony, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
