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Neglected Diseases: Student-driven efforts to address the innovation gap

This article explores the neglected diseases and the innovation gap in research and development. It highlights student-driven initiatives and projects aimed at addressing these diseases through education, outreach, and collaboration with researchers and organizations. It also mentions upcoming events and conferences focused on open innovation and the role of universities in tackling neglected diseases.

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Neglected Diseases: Student-driven efforts to address the innovation gap

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  1. Neglected Diseases:Student-driven efforts to address the innovation gap UAEM International Conference October 9, 2010

  2. What are Neglected Diseases?

  3. Neglected Tropical Diseases • Disabling and Disfiguring • DALYs vs. mortality • Stigma • Diseases of Poverty • Biblical Diseases • Economic toll • Poverty-promoting • Ascariasis • Trichuriasis • Hookworm • Schistosomiasis • Lymphatic filariasis • Onchocerciasis • Trachoma • Leprosy • Buruli ulcer • Chagas disease • HAT • Leishmaniasis • Dengue Fever Worms Bacteria Tissue protozoa Virus

  4. 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

  5. Human Rights Civil and Political Rights Social and Economic Rights Expression, Religion Life, Liberty, Property Benefits of Scientific Progress Health

  6. What’s happening in ND R&D?

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. What can we do to help?

  10. 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!

  11. WORM of the WEEK

  12. 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!

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. Upcoming 2010-2011 Project:Researcher Database • Goals: Researcher outreach, and ND drug/vaccine/diagnostics pipeline surveillance • Database will evolve over time with contributions from UAEMers • Content: Researchers’ names, grant size, research details, UAEM’s relationship with researcher(s), and more! • Will be useful in identifying key researchers and potential UAEM allies • Will be in collaboration with Academics for Access website

  16. Upcoming 2010-2011 Project:PDP Information Booklet for TTOs • Goal: Provide TTOs with easy-to-refer-to information packets • To include: lists of diseases and respective PDPs • Will familiarize TTOs with current PDPs • Will assist in facilitating positive relationships between TTOs and PDPs, which in turn could fuel development of PDPs

  17. Upcoming 2010-2011 Project:Compound Library Development • Goal: creating compound libraries with mass screening applications • Method: contacting/collaborating with medicinal chemists and having them “share” their compounds • PDP-NGOs will have access to compound libraries

  18. 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

  19. Upcoming Event:ND Symposium: Washington, DCNovember 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

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