Neglected Diseases:
Student-driven efforts to address the innovation gap
UAEM International Conference
October 9, 2010
What are Neglected Diseases?
Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Disabling and Disfiguring
– DALYs vs. mortality
• Stigma
• Diseases of Poverty
• Biblical Diseases
• Economic toll
– Poverty-promoting
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Ascariasis
Trichuriasis
Hookworm
Schistosomiasis
Lymphatic filariasis
Onchocerciasis
Trachoma
Leprosy
Buruli ulcer
Chagas disease
HAT
Leishmaniasis
Dengue Fever
Worms
Bacteria
Tissue
protozoa
Virus
What’s the problem?
The Innovation Gap:
From 1975-2004 only 1.3% of all new drugs were for NTDs (or TB), even
though these account for 11.4% of global disease burden
Human Rights
Civil and Political Rights
Social and Economic Rights
Expression,
Religion
Health
Life,
Liberty,
Property
Benefits of
Scientific
Progress
What’s happening in ND R&D?
Recent Initiatives
• G-FINDER Study
– Annual report on R+D funding since 2007
• Patent Pool for Open Innovation Against NTDs
– Established by GSK in Feb 2009,
administered by BVGH
– Contributors: Alnylam, MMV, MIT
• DNDi/TB Alliance collaboration
– Nitroimidizoles being tested against NTDs
• Global Atlas of Helminth Infections
– www.thiswormyworld.org
In (or through) the Pipeline
• African Sleeping Sickness:
– NECT – faster and safer therapy
• Chagas:
– Pediatric benznidizole
– K777 - first new compound for Chagas in 35 years
• TB:
– GeneXpert – rapid benchtop TB diagnostic device
• Dengue:
– Tetravalent live-attenuated vaccine developed by NIAID/Hopkins,
entering Phase I trial
• Leishmaniasis:
– iCo Therapeutics – oral liposomal formulation of amphotericin B
– iOWH/DNDi – paromomycin trial completed
What can we do to help?
Education
• Must train the next generation of ND leaders
– Scientists – dedicated fellowships
– Advocates
– Policy-makers
– Physicians
– Public health professionals
• Partnerships with LMIC students/universities
• Scientific symposia on NDs
• ND curricula
• Engage professors and administrators!
Schistosomiasis
Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, S. japonicum, S. mekongi, S.
intercalatum
What is it?
Symptoms of Infection
A chronic, parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode
worms) of the genus Schistosoma, via 5 main species.
Over 207 million infected worldwide, with 85% in Africa;
700 million estimated at risk in 74 endemic countries;
Mostly in poor communities without access to safe water;
Acquired via drinking contaminated water or through the skin.
Caused by body’s reaction to the worms,
NOT by worms;
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in the
urine/stool;
Rash or itchy skin can occur within days of
infection;
Fever, chills, cough, muscle aches within 1-2
months;
Enlarged liver/spleen;
Diagnosis
Egg presence in stool or urine.
Blood testing for certain species are
available but requires waiting of 6-8 weeks
after the last exposure.
Treatment
Praziquantel is the drug of choice for all
species.
Oxamniquine has been found to work for S.
mansoni in areas where Praziquantel is less
effective.
Populations/Countries
Affected
Prevention & Control
Based on preventive treatment, snail control,
improved sanitation and health education;
WHO strategy focuses on reducing disease via
periodic, targeted drug treatments – which
involves regular treatment of all people in atrisk groups;
Targeting school-aged children, at-risk adults,
and/or entire communities in endemic areas
– depending on prevalence.
GHEC Collaboration
• Development of educational modules
• Distribution to partners in LMICs
– Modules loaded onto USB sticks
– Continued feedback is key
• Planning on working abroad?
– Join the team!
ND and Global Health Education
• Develop dedicated ND curriculum
And/Or
• Integrate ND into existing curriculum
• What’s out there already at schools?
– Google doc to keep track
Current Projects:
Chagas’ Disease Outreach
- Started by Catee Lalonde (summer internship
with DNDi)
- Reasoning:
- Lack of knowledge amongst physicians
- Lack of knowledge amongst general population
(both Latino and non-Latino)
- Currently in pilot phase
- UAEM hosted seminars for Latino community in
Vancouver (November)
- Presenting at community clinics to the medical
staff/general staff (November)
- Distributing Chagas’ Disease awareness pamphlets
- Grand rounds also a possibility
- Upon completion of pilot phase:
- Toolkit to be assembled and distributed to all UAEM
chapters
Upcoming 2010-2011 Project:
Researcher Database
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Goals: Researcher outreach, and ND
drug/vaccine/diagnostics pipeline surveillance
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Database will evolve over time with
contributions from UAEMers
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Content: Researchers’ names, grant size,
research details, UAEM’s relationship with
researcher(s), and more!
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Will be useful in identifying key researchers
and potential UAEM allies
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Will be in collaboration with Academics for
Access website
Upcoming 2010-2011 Project:
PDP Information Booklet for TTOs
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Goal: Provide TTOs with easy-to-refer-to information packets
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To include: lists of diseases and respective PDPs
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Will familiarize TTOs with current PDPs
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Will assist in facilitating positive relationships between TTOs
and PDPs, which in turn could fuel development of PDPs
Upcoming 2010-2011 Project:
Compound Library Development
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Goal: creating compound libraries with mass screening applications
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Method: contacting/collaborating with medicinal chemists and having them “share”
their compounds
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PDP-NGOs will have access to compound libraries
Upcoming 2010-2011 Project:
NTD Awareness Campaign
• International cross campus initiative
attempting to raise awareness and
understanding of Neglected Tropical
Diseases
– Methods: education video clips on NDs,
op-eds, blog, etc.
– Can tie in with curriculum development
Upcoming Event:
ND Symposium: Washington, DC
November 20, 2010
• Conference Focus: Open Innovation and the
Role of Universities
• Goal: facilitate discussion between key
academic, industry, university players
• Panels:
– Universities and OS methods
– Emerging Innovation models and the University
– Universities, ND and collaborating with PDPs