Pharma Times has reported that Astellas Pharmaceuticals has announced an agreement with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) to collaborate on drug discovery research for three neglected tropical diseases

The 3 neglected tropical diseases are leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and sleeping sickness. These 3 together affect nearly 10 million people worldwide

Under the agreement, Astellas will provide DNDi with a selection of original compounds. These will be screened at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Switzerland

Executive Director of DNDi, Dr Bernard Pécoul, said “We welcome Astellas as a new partner both in the field of NTDs and as part of a product development partnership. In the field of neglected diseases, and particularly for the most neglected – leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness – this new partnership reinforces the critical mass of engaged actors necessary to address urgent patient needs”

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