Recent initiatives and strategies to developing new drugs for tropical parasitic diseases

Caffrey, Conor R. and Steverding, Dietmar (2008) Recent initiatives and strategies to developing new drugs for tropical parasitic diseases. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery, 3 (2). pp. 173-186. ISSN 1746-045X

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the toll of tropical parasitic diseases on human life in the developing world, present therapies still rely on drugs developed decades ago. In many cases, the clinical usefulness of these compounds is limited due to poor efficacy, toxicity and the constant attrition of drug resistance. The absence of a profit incentive regarding diseases afflicting the very poor has resulted in a lack of investment by the pharmaceutical industry in new chemotherapies. OBJECTIVE: Given this background, this review addresses what alternative economic and scientific strategies have been implemented to procure novel drugs. METHODS: The latest chemical, genetic and screening technologies to discover and develop drugs for tropical parasitic diseases are reviewed. In many cases these strategies are being implemented within the framework of public-private partnerships established to sustain dynamic drug development portfolios. Examples of public-private partnerships and their portfolios are discussed. Further, the contribution of dedicated academic screening centres to target discovery and preclinical prosecution of new small molecules is also highlighted. In every case, the latest scientific literature is cited, but also relevant press releases and website information to indicate the present vitality in the field. CONCLUSION: The tools, institutions and consortia are now in place and evolving to deliver new pharmaceuticals. Short-term results have already been realised in the clinic, mainly through the provision of new formulations of existing drugs. Long-term and consistent investment will be required, however, to identify, develop and clinically validate new chemical entities.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date Deposited:	25 Nov 2010 11:09
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 10:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/12272
DOI:	10.1517/17460441.3.2.173

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