Chapter 11 : Future Trends in Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Antipoverty Vaccines

Abstract:

The seven most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) (in order of prevalence, they are ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm infection, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filiarisis [LF], trachoma, and onchocerciasis) are the most common infections of the world's poorest people. The major product development partnerships (PDPs) for new kinetoplastid drugs are listed in the chapter. These PDPs are either exploiting just-finished genome projects for protozoan parasites, in order to identify potential drug targets, or are embarking on high-throughput screening and other traditional approaches to drug development and clinical testing. Some of these PDPs are supported partly by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Researchers have the technology in hand to develop new antipoverty drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics, but it is financial innovation that is most needed in order to promote institutions for conducting scale-up process development, manufacturing, and clinical testing and for securing global access for these new products. Within the last decade, several important NTD PDPs have been established for research, development, and clinical testing of new drugs for Chagas' disease, human African trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. At least five PDPs have also successfully developed NTD vaccines, also known as antipoverty vaccines, for clinical testing.