Shionogi, in collaboration with Nagasaki University (Administrative Office: Nagasaki; President: Takeshi Nagayasu, M.D., Ph.D.), the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Director: Takashi Wakita), and the non-profit research and development organization Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), has announced a partnership aimed at developing new preventive drugs for malaria. This collaborative effort, selected for funding by the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund), signifies a crucial step in addressing one of the world’s major infectious diseases.
Malaria, alongside AIDS and tuberculosis, ranks among the top three infectious diseases globally. Caused by the malaria parasite and primarily prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, it poses a significant health threat, with approximately 250 million cases and 610,000 deaths reported annually worldwide. Despite progress, including the introduction of two vaccines, challenges such as partial vaccine efficacy and parasite resistance to existing treatments persist, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions.
Shionogi and Nagasaki University initiated their collaboration in February 2019, focusing on infectious diseases, particularly malaria prevention and treatment. In March 2023, their joint efforts with MMV received funding from the GHIT Fund for the development of new malaria treatment drugs.
Through this collaboration, the four parties will engage in research and development to create novel malaria prevention drugs and identify candidate compounds. Shionogi remains dedicated to its mission of protecting people globally from infectious diseases. As a leading company in the field, it continues to address various infectious diseases, including malaria, antimicrobial resistance, and COVID-19.
The GHIT Fund, established in 2013, aims to harness Japanese technologies and innovations to combat infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries. It has contributed significantly to advancing medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics for diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases.
Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) is a prominent partnership dedicated to the research, development, and delivery of antimalarial drugs. Its mission is to reduce the burden of malaria by discovering and delivering effective and affordable treatments to vulnerable populations in endemic regions.
Nagasaki University’s Institute of Tropical Medicine focuses on overcoming tropical diseases, particularly infectious diseases, and associated health challenges. Shionogi plans to establish a collaborative research division, the Shionogi Infectious Disease Division, at the Institute to accelerate drug discovery research for malaria.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases leads innovative research on infectious diseases to enhance public health care and contribute to healthcare administration.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements based on current information and assumptions, subject to risks and uncertainties. These include economic conditions, regulatory approvals, product safety, and technological advancements. The company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
