Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Osaka, Japan; CEO: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.; referred to as “Shionogi” hereafter) has initiated the second phase of collaboration with Nagasaki University (Located in Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture; President: Takeshi Nagayasu), focusing on comprehensive cooperation in the realm of infectious diseases, particularly malaria.
The collaboration, formalized through an agreement signed in February 2019, marks the commencement of the second phase, building upon the foundations laid during the initial phase. Throughout the first phase (February 2019 to March 2024), Shionogi and Nagasaki University collaborated closely with seven newly partnered institutions※, achieving significant milestones in malaria research. This included advancements in prevention and treatment strategies, as well as laying the groundwork for drug discovery research. Notably, novel candidate compounds were discovered alongside the development of highly effective vaccine modalities.
In the second phase (April 2024 to March 2029), the collaboration aims to expedite the transition of candidate compounds into early development stages while continuing to explore new avenues in drug discovery research to address emerging challenges.
Malaria remains a pressing global health concern, ranking among the top three infectious diseases worldwide alongside AIDS and tuberculosis. With approximately 250 million new cases reported annually and around 610,000 deaths attributed to malaria each year, the disease poses a significant threat, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Factors such as inadequate vaccine efficacy and parasite resistance to existing treatments exacerbate the challenges associated with combating malaria. Additionally, the expansion of endemic areas due to climate change further underscores the urgency of addressing this global threat.
Shionogi remains steadfast in its commitment to “Protect people worldwide from the threat of infectious diseases,” striving not only to develop novel therapeutics but also to advocate for total care encompassing awareness, epidemiologic monitoring, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. As a frontrunner in infectious disease research, Shionogi continues to actively engage in addressing a spectrum of infectious diseases, including malaria, antimicrobial resistance, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which represent significant public health challenges.
