Novartis to Invest $250 Million for R&D of Neglected Tropical Diseases

Novartis has endorsed the Kigali Declaration on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and is committing to an investment of $250 million towards research and development (R&D) to fight against NTDs and malaria.

The Kigali Declaration was adopted to reaffirm commitments to end NTDs and malaria and aims to mobilize political will and secure commitments to achieve the SDG3 target on NTDs and to deliver the targets set out in the World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Disease Roadmap (2021–2030).

Novartis’ investment will span over five years (2021–2025) and will fund the advancement of R&D of new treatments to combat NTDs and malaria. $100 million will go towards R&D of its neglected tropical disease program, and $150 million will go to the advancement of its 3 novel drug candidates to combat malaria.

“Over the past decade, great progress has been made against NTDs, but there is still a lot more work to be done. Novartis will continue progressing our longstanding commitment to helping realize a world free of NTDs,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, in a press release. “Today, by endorsing the Kigali Declaration and pledging to invest USD 250 million, we aim to accelerate progress toward elimination of these diseases, which continue to cause suffering and stigma for millions of people around the globe.”

Source: Novartis