After four years, Dr Luis Pizarro will be stepping down from his role as DNDi’s Executive Director to take on a new position as Executive Director at Unitaid at the end of 2026.

Since 2022, Dr Pizarro has guided DNDi through a period of scientific accomplishment and institutional maturation. Most recently, DNDi delivered acoziborole – the first single-dose oral treatment for sleeping sickness – a milestone that puts elimination of the disease within reach for the first time. DNDi’s global network now counts more than 230 staff and over 200 partner institutions across five continents, and the organization is a leading voice for needs-driven, collaborative, and equitable medical research and development.

‘Luis has been a defining force in DNDi’s evolution into a globally recognized institution,’ said Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Chair of DNDi’s Board of Directors. ‘His commitment to patients, to science, and to a more equitable model of medical innovation has left an indelible mark on the organization’s journey. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and wish him every success in his new role.’

As we look to the future, DNDi’s Board will now actively engage in a search process to identify a new Executive Director who will continue to champion DNDi’s mission to bring best science to the most neglected.

For any questions, please contact media@dndi.org.