- Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University is first partner in a new international alliance led by dengue-endemic countries to search for a treatment for dengue
The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, has today joined forces with the international non-profit medical research organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in a collaboration that aims to develop a safe, affordable and effective treatment for dengue, within five years.
Through this agreement, the prestigious Thai medical school becomes the first member of an ambitious global partnership to be led by dengue-endemic countries, that is dedicated to facilitating and coordinating research to find and deliver new therapeutic solutions for dengue.
'Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important we don't lose sight of our efforts to tackle other diseases which affect millions of people around the world,' said Prof. Dr Prasit Watanapa, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.
'When it comes to neglected tropical diseases - the most serious of which in Thailand is dengue fever, the goal of all organizations, particularly the health authorities at Siriraj, is to eliminate the disease. Despite extensive research and development of treatments for dengue fever and progress on vaccines, we have not yet achieved sufficient results. The collaboration with DNDi is a critical first step toward working with international organizations to promote and develop the potential of Thailand as one of Southeast Asia's most dependable medical research and development facilities as well as to contribute to the control of dengue fever in Thailand permanently,' said Dr Prasit.
Dengue, a climate sensitive neglected tropical disease, is one of the top ten threats to global public health worldwide. Symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, aches, and muscle, joint or bone pain so excruciating that the disease is also known as 'breakbone fever.' If infection progresses to severe dengue, affected people may experience shock, internal bleeding and organ failure - there is also a risk of death.
Yet, despite an estimated 390 million dengue infections each year in more than 100 countries worldwide, there is no specific treatment available. This not only causes immense suffering, but places significant pressure on already overburdened health systems.
More than 70% of the global dengue burden is in Asia where severe dengue has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children and adults in many countries. Thailand sees tens of thousands of dengue cases every year, with major outbreaks every 2-3 years, such as in 2019 when an epidemic swept South-East Asia and Thailand saw more than 131.000 cases.
The new partnership aims to find a new therapeutic solution to help treat dengue fever, prevent progression to severe disease and help relieve pressure on health systems.
DNDi has a long history of running international medical projects working with global experts to coordinate activities that ensure equitable and fast sharing of knowledge, data and science - as well as mobilizing donors.
'We are delighted to have Thailand on board,' said Dr Bernard Pecoul, Executive Director of DNDi and Prince Mahidol Award Laureate. 'There is no more time to lose in addressing the need for safe and effective dengue treatments that are affordable and accessible for all patients. To succeed it is critical that dengue-endemic countries are in the lead.'
'Finding treatment solutions is all the more critical as dengue spreads at rapid pace - in part as a result of climate change predicted to further intensify the impact of dengue in endemic areas as well as to see it spread to previously unaffected areas.'
The number of dengue incident cases increased by 85% from 1990 to 2019. Rising temperatures linked to climate change are predicted to see faster viral amplification of the disease, as well as increased survival, reproduction and biting rates of the mosquitoes which carry it. The number of people at risk of dengue is estimated to reach 60% of the world's population by 2080, as a result of climate change, rapid urbanization and population growth.
Through this collaboration, DNDi and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University will work together on joint projects to progress preclinical investigations of potential treatments, test the efficacy of several repurposed drug candidates and implement clinical trials of the most promising drug candidates. At the same time, it will coordinate efforts to help overcome knowledge gaps and expedite clinical research and regulatory approvals, including addressing unmet needs such as on diagnostics. The partnership will work together to raise funds and mobilize resources while openly sharing research knowledge, .
DNDi is in the process of signing similar agreement with India and is fast progressing discussions with Malaysia and Brazil, to develop therapeutics. Meanwhile, African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ghana, will soon come on board to carry out epidemiological studies to better understand the disease in these areas.