Novartis Global Health R&D aims to deliver breakthroughs for diseases overlooked by others, including:

Cryptosporidiosis

Child mortality has come down substantially since the United Nations launched its Millennium Development Goals. Between 2000 and 2015 the number of cases nearly halved to 43 deaths per 1000 live births. However, this figure is still far too high, especially if one looks at some of the poorer regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. There, the figure stands at 84 deaths per 1000 live births. It is clear that more needs to be done.

Novartis is currently working on a compound that could halt Cryptosporidium parvum in its tracks.

Leishmaniasis

Thinking of sand flies may not necessarily strike fear in anyone. Their image is often used by poets. But these tiny insects can have a devastating effect when they carry a parasite type known as leishmaniasis. Malnutrition, poverty and deforestation are considered the key reasons for the spread of the disease, which according to the World Health Organization kills around 30 000 people every year. While nearly 200 million people are at risk, there are about 1 million new infections every year and up to 12 million people are estimated to live with the disease.

Thanks to a better understanding of the underlying biology of these parasites, Novartis is working on a compound that targets the proteasome of these parasites.

Sleeping sickness

Unlike what the name may suggest, sleeping sickness, or Human African trypanosomiasis, does not mean struggling to stay awake. It is the other way around. Having difficulties to fall asleep is the second stage of this disease, which is also accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, poor coordination and numbness.

Although the insect-borne condition is putting some 70 million people at risk, most of the cases occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While there are treatments, the current therapies are difficult to administer. They require high doses and complex equipment.

These are difficult to transport to some of the most affected regions, which are located in the Congo Basin. Given its limited geographical spread, hopes are high that a new and easier-to-use compound from Novartis could help better manage and one day eliminate this disease.

Chagas

Chagas is a tricky disease because the early symptoms can be relatively mild and are difficult to detect. They can include fever and local swelling after the bite of the kissing bug, which carries the eukaryotic organism Trypanosoma cruzi, the trigger of the disease.

After the first symptoms vanish, Chagas can remain undetected for decades. While the illness can be treated in the early stages, the long-term consequences are extremely cumbersome and can lead to an enlargement of the heart ventricles, heart failure and an enlargement of the colon. In order to tackle the disease, which affects more than 6 million people in Central and South America, Novartis is targeting the proteasome of the protist, the cause of the illness. With the help of new imaging technologies, the development of a new compound is now possibly in reach.

KLU156 (ganaplacide/lumefantrine-SDF) – A once-daily antimalarial, effective against all known parasites, including drug-resistant strains.

KAE609 (cipargamin) – A novel spiroindolone targeting PfATP4, which rapidly clears parasites and blocks transmission.

Triple combination – A three-drug regimen designed to improve efficacy, shorten treatment, and prevent resistance.

INE963 – A next-generation fast-acting antimalarial with long half-life and high resistance barrier.