Dengue and TB scientists discuss new clinical research approaches

According to public health officials, low income countries carry more than 90% of the global disease burden and have less than 10% of funds from public and private sources to deal with them[1]

Basel, October 19, 2009 - Leading Dengue and TB scientists from the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD) are meeting today at a symposium at NEHCRI (Novartis - Eijkman Institute - Hasanuddin University Clinical Research Initiative) in Makassar, Indonesia, to discuss the initiative's clinical research updates. NEHCRI is a unique collaboration comprised of a specialized network of institutes that are focused on drug discovery, capacity building and training local Indonesian scientists.

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"By building capacity within an endemic region, NEHCRI is becoming a model of excellence for clinical research," says Paul Herrling, Head of Corporate Research at Novartis and Chairman of the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases. "This initiative also helps establish a health infrastructure through knowledge-sharing between Novartis scientists and local Indonesian scientists. Ultimately we hope to contribute to Indonesia's network of experienced clinicians through this integrated model."

Positive effects of NEHCRI: TB Diagnostics

Scientists at NEHCRI are already seeing positive results of the model's effects, including the development of two epidemiology manuscripts on tuberculosis, and implementation of translational and operational studies. The manuscripts on TB, which are currently being prepared for publication, will be essential when choosing suitable management programs for TB in Makassar.

"Endemic regions - areas where patients need treatment most - are currently lacking in clinical trial capacity," says Prof Sangkot Marzuki, Director Eijkman Institute. "However, it is of critical importance to conduct clinical trials in endemic areas, so as to ensure that the treatments being tested will actually meet the real-life needs of the patients."

The NEHCRI TB laboratory has the capacity to process 2,000 sputum samples per year, providing a direct impact on TB treatment. The availability of proper TB diagnostic tools provides local patients and doctors access to important resources. Indonesia currently ranks third on the list of the 22 countries with the highest-burden of TB cases across the globe, with 244 cases per 100,000 people[3].

"Success of the existing, high-quality TB diagnostic labs in Makassar is due to close collaboration among the NITD and Hasanuddin University Hospital, as well as the National TB Control Program," says Hasanuddin University Rector Prof Idrus A. Paturusi.

NEHCRI and Dengue Research: Focusing on this Growing International Disease

More than 50 million cases of Dengue and 500,000 Dengue-related hospitalizations occur each year in both developed and developing regions due to the under investment in research and development for effective tools to detect and treat the disease[2]. Dengue is one of the most prevalent emerging diseases in humans with no preventative vaccines or antiviral cures available at present.

The Dengue research group at NEHCRI focuses on epidemiology, virology, diagnostics and host response, as they work toward developing Dengue antiviral compounds. Within the established research setting at the Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology in Jakarta, the NEHCRI research laboratory conducts genomic analysis of virus isolates from the clinical laboratory in Makassar.

As of August 12, 2009 more than 700 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever have been recorded in Indonesia, seven of which were fatal. The number of cases has increased compared to last year, when only 500 cases were recorded, three of which ended in deaths[4]. The NEHCRI laboratories in Makassar and Jakarta are staffed by Indonesian scientists whose experience can be applied in potential collaborations with other research groups. These partnerships could, in turn, lead to better surveillance and contribute to controlling Dengue in Indonesia.

About NITD

The NITD hosts events in endemic regions, such as today's symposium at NEHCRI, to help scientists and partners understand the true impact of these diseases and the unique local challenges doctors, clinicians and patients in the region face.

The NITD represents a major part of Novartis' bid to improve the developing world's access to medicines. The NITD's overarching goal is to discover novel treatments and prevention methods for major tropical diseases. In those developing countries where these diseases are endemic, the Novartis Group intends to make treatments readily available without profit.

The focus of the NITD is to apply Novartis' drug-discovery expertise and cutting-edge technology platforms to fight against infectious diseases that are currently not well covered by modern treatment regimens, particularly Dengue fever and tuberculosis.

Source: Novartis