Neglected Diseases

Diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and Chagas disease affect millions of people in the world's most disadvantaged populations. Current treatments are old, and many have severe side effects. To address this emerging issue, several public-private partnerships have been established, particularly in remote areas, to develop effective and affordable treatments and to create practical solutions to overcome barriers to progress, such as lack of health care infrastructure, shortages of health workers, poor transportation and distribution networks, and lack of patient awareness.

While research and development for neglected diseases is not a core competency for Abbott, we have expertise and assets that may contribute to solutions.

During 2006–2007, we partnered with the Institute for OneWorld Health, a nonprofit pharmaceutical company leading a research and development effort to lower the cost of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for the treatment of malaria in vulnerable populations. OneWorld Health is working to develop microbially derived artemisinin, an effective antimalarial ingredient, at an affordable price, to improve access to people in need. While malaria has become increasingly resistant to frontline medications, drugs containing artemisinin derivatives have been highly successful. Abbott has donated several kilograms of Artesunate, an active derivative of artemisinin, to this research effort.

Abbott also contributes resources in an advisory capacity to this project by sharing our expertise in laboratory testing, commercial production, chemistry and fermentation to help develop low-cost, microbially based artemisinin.

In 2009, we will begin systematically exploring ways to match our scientific knowledge to current treatment and development needs for neglected diseases.