Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium

🚨 New Op-Ed in Nikkei Asia Highlights Work of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium! An op-ed published today in Nikkei Asia spotlights the work of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium and many of our partners. The op-ed follows an important meeting in Tokyo last month, organized by Uniting Efforts for Innovation, Access, and Delivery – a joint initiative of the UNDP-led Access and Delivery Partnership, the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund, and the Government of Japan. It features insights from Osamu Kunii, CEO of the GHIT Fund, and Mandeep Dhaliwal, Director of UNDP’s HIV & Health Group, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in improving access to treatments for neglected tropical diseases like schistosomiasis. Read the full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/gFmeaKGG #GlobalHealth #NeglectedTropicalDiseases #Schistosomiasis #HealthcareInnovation The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is a #PublicPrivatePartnership funded by the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.    In partnership with: Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University World Health Organization, UNDP in Asia and the Pacific

#Schistosomiasis #BeatNTDs #PublicPrivatePartnerships #HealthEquity #GlobalHealth Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership

Last week, members of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, including country representatives from Kenya, Uganda, and Cote d'Ivoire, traveled to Tokyo to join a strategy meeting on the challenges and opportunities for the access and delivery of our new pediatric treatment option for schistosomiasis. We were also there to participate in a panel discussion on the sustainability and equity of our treatment option. The event was organized by Uniting Efforts for Innovation, Access and Delivery – a joint initiative of the UNDP-led Access and Delivery Partnership, the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund, & the Government of Japan. #Schistosomiasis #GlobalHealth #BeatNTDs. The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is a #PublicPrivatePartnership funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund.    In partnership with: Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University

A good week for #NTD News! Following our announcement of the World Health Organization prequalifying our novel child-friendly treatment for preschoolers with schistosomiasis earlier this week, we're happy to share the WHO Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024, in which the Consortium is mentioned. This is the second in a series of global reports describing progress towards the 2030 targets. It presents epidemiological and programmatic data for 2022, along with the main findings and events of 2023. The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is mentioned in Section 3.1.2: Progress under road map pillars > Medicines: "In December 2023, the pediatric formulation of praziquantel developed by the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, received a positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children." #Schistosomiasis #GlobalHealth #BeatNTDs #PublicPrivatePartnership funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund.    Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University

📢 We’re pleased to share another important milestone in the fight against schistosomiasis: our new pediatric treatment option for children aged 3 months to 6 years has officially been included in the World Health Organization’s List of Prequalified Medicines! WHO prequalification is significant as it helps advance the access and adoption of the new treatment in endemic countries, bringing it one step closer to the young patients in need. #Schistosomiasis #GlobalHealth #BeatNTDs #PublicPrivatePartnership funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund.    Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University, World Health Organization

Following the European Medicines Agency's adoption, last December, of a positive scientific opinion of our new pediatric treatment option for preschool-aged children with schistosomiasis, the topic of equitable access is now a key focus for the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium. A group of important stakeholders recently convened in Istanbul to discuss the topic of access in-depth, and the collaborative efforts needed to ensure endemic country readiness for the roll-out of the new treatment option. The meeting was organized by Uniting Efforts for Innovation, Access and Delivery – a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-led Access and Delivery Partnership (ADP), our funding partner the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund, and the Government of Japan. Along with partners of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, the consultation brought together key representatives from the World Health Organization, ministries of health, national disease control programs, and regulatory authorities of affected countries. This report by ADP nicely outlines all stakeholders present and the dialogues that were facilitated 👇 As Dr. Hayato Urabe, Associate Vice President, Investment Strategy, Portfolio Development & Innovations at GHIT Fund says, "The availability of an efficacious and safe treatment formulation for preschool-aged children represents a critical tool in endemic countries’ arsenal against schistosomiasis, promising to improve the lives of millions of children and, by extension, the communities in which they live. Equitable and sustainable access to this treatment will be essential to ensure that no child is left behind.” #PublicPrivatePartnership #Schistosomiasis #BeatNTDs   Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University

Register now for the online ISNTD d3 conference on drug discovery, development & diagnostics for NTDs on 27-28 February 2024 👇   The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium will be represented by Beatrice Greco, Head of Research & Development and Access for the Global Health Institute of Merck.   On 27 February (14:30-16:00h CET) Beatrice will present during the session on “Paediatric advances in neglected tropical diseases treatments”.   #PublicPrivatePartnership funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund.   Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University, International Society For Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD)

Today, 30 January, is World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, an annual awareness day that seeks to mobilize support for the control and elimination of NTDs. As an international public-private partnership fighting to eliminate schistosomiasis, one of 21 NTDs classified by the WHO, we are proud to show our support. #UniteActEliminate #WorldNTDDay, #100PercentCommitted #BeatNTDs #Schistosomiasis #GlobalHealth #PublicPrivatePartnership funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund. Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University

📢 We have exciting news to share! The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion of our new pediatric treatment option for preschool-aged children with schistosomiasis. The EMA decision follows validation of our application, submitted by Merck on behalf of the Consortium, and is the basis for the potential inclusion of our new pediatric treatment option into the World Health Organization’s list of prequalified and essential medicinal products. Commenting on this latest milestone, Dr. Jutta Reinhard-Rupp, Chair of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium Board and Head of the Global Health Institute at Merck, said: "After more than 10 years of intense collaboration, we are thrilled to have received a positive scientific opinion from EMA. I am extremely proud of our Consortium of dedicated partners. Together, we have come a long way in our vision of providing a treatment option for the most vulnerable population – the youngest." Diseases of poverty, like schistosomiasis, must be overcome to deliver on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure universal health coverage. The Consortium's work to develop, register, and provide access to this new treatment option is a tangible contribution to the elimination of this neglected tropical disease as a public health problem. Read more in our press release linked to in the comments and view our video marking this latest development 👇 #schistosomiasis #globalhealth #BeatNTDs #SDGs #publicprivatepartnership financially supported by Merck, in-kind contributions from the Consortium’s partners, and grants from the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In collaboration with: Merck Group, Merck Healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Farmanguinhos / Fiocruz, Lygature, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Unlimit Health (formerly SCI Foundation), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Ministry of Health, Kenya, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Technical University of Munich, Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de la Couverture Maladie Universelle (Côte d'Ivoire), African Institute for Health and Development, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Makerere University.

Thank you, COR-NTD, for showcasing the work of our Consortium as one of the top examples of achievements from the NTD Community over the past 10 years! In this video, Maurice Odiere, our PI from Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) kindly represents the Consortium, explaining how we are working towards addressing the unmet medical needs of very young children affected by #schistosomiasis. #GlobalHealth #BeatNTDs #PublicPrivatePartnership funded by European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund. Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD)