DNDi receives global award for developing new treatments for NTDs

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) has been awarded Japan’s prestigious Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize for its role in delivering new treatments for neglected diseases in Africa, particularly sleeping sickness.

Co-founded by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the nonprofit medical research organisation was honoured in the medical services category during a ceremony held Friday in Tokyo, attended by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan and hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.”

Awarded every three years, the prize is the highest medical honour from the Government of Japan. It was established in memory of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi (1876–1928), a renowned medical scientist who dedicated his life to bacteriological research and died while studying yellow fever in Africa.

‘This recognition is proof of the power of a model for medical innovation driven purely by patients’ needs, where African scientists are leading the charge against diseases that have long burdened our communities,’ said Prof Samuel Kariuki, DNDi Continental Lead Africa, and Eastern Africa Director.

“DNDi was founded with the vision that Africa should not have to wait for others to solve our health challenges. We remain committed to ensuring that no disease is overlooked simply because it affects the poorest and most vulnerable”, he added.

The development also follows a landmark public health achievement earlier this month, when the World Health Organization (WHO) validated Kenya for eliminating human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem, making it the tenth country to reach this significant milestone.

13 treatments

Over the past 22 years, DNDi has developed three new treatments for six deadly diseases, 9 of which were delivered from Africa.

It delivered fexinidazole, the first-ever all-oral treatment for both the gambiense and rhodesiense forms of sleeping sickness.

It has also conducted the world’s first randomised clinical trial for mycetoma, carried out numerous clinical studies for improved leishmaniasis treatments, and developed new treatments for children with HIV.

KEMRI hailed the organisation for the recognition. “As one of DNDi’s founding partners, KEMRI is immensely proud to see DNDi recognised for its outstanding contributions, and for our shared commitment to addressing neglected diseases,’ said Prof Elijah Songok, Director General, KEMRI.

He added, “It demonstrates that when African institutions lead research initiatives, we achieve global impact. This prize validates the critical role African research institutions play in advancing global health equity”.

DNDi extended its gratitude to KEMRI for the nomination and to the Government of Japan for recognising its commitment to advancing medical innovation and improving the lives of the world’s most neglected patients.

It has conducted clinical trials with partners in countries including Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda.