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ANDI/TDR/EU Commission Joint Symposium

Source: TropIKA

Title of the session: ANDI/TDR/EU Commission Joint Symposium

Date: 06 November 2009

Agenda item: Symposium 41

Session theme: Improved tools for the elimination of Malaria in Africa: Research for New drugs and Innovative Diagnostics

Meeting room: Lake Turkana

Chair(s): Dr. Solomon Nwaka. WHO/TDR

Presenters:

• Dr. Solomon Nwaka, WHO/TDR
• Michael Makanga EDCPT
• Dr. Kelly Chibale, University of Capetown South Africa
• Sylvain Bieler, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva.
• Dr. Henk Scalling Royal Tropical Institute, Netherlands
• Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah, Ghana
• Andreas Holtel, EU Commission

TropIKA rapporteur: Beatrice Irungu

Major topics:

• Introduction: African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics
• Innovation (ANDI)
• Strengthening Clinical Research Capacities in Africa
• ANDI - Drug discovery in Africa
• FIND - Innovative integrated diagnostic platforms
• Natural Products
• Research for Diagnostics
• Supporting Health Research in Africa - An EU perspective

Keywords: Drug, Innovation, partnership, diagnostics

Scope: Scope was wide covering innovative diagnostics, commercial exploitation of natural products and African led research initiative

REPORT ON ORIGINAL SESSION

Overview

This symposium defined future research needs in the field of malaria drugs and diagnostics. There was an introduction and overview of ANDI (African Network for Drugs and Diagnostic and Innovation). ANDI was formed in Abuja, Nigeria in the year 2008. Its main objective is to promote and sustain African-led R&D innovation through the discovery, development and delivery of affordable new tools including those based on traditional medicines. There was also a brief overview on EDCTP which was founded in the year 2004. Its main objective is to strengthen clinical research capacities in Africa. EDCTP focuses in Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. There were two presentations on drug discovery in Africa and natural products. Presenters emphasized that scientists need to adopt a completely different approach in research of traditional medicine/natural products. The presenters also noted that so far there are no tangible pharmaceuticals and/or scientifically validated widely used products/botanicals from Africa despite decades of research in natural products/traditional medicine. There was a presentation from FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics). The presentations emphasized on the need to invest on new and innovative diagnostic tools such as field applicable molecular diagnostic tools. Finally, there was an overview on EU-commission explaining kind of research they fund.

CONTEXT AND ISSUE

Antimalarial drug development pipeline is very thin. New molecules that can be put in the drug development pipeline are needed. Natural products/ traditional medicine are a potential source that can be exploited to produce such leads. However, scientists need to adopt a completely different approach if they are to succeed. There is need for interdisciplinary research and integration of different assays to add value to natural products research.

There is need to invest on research for new innovative diagnostic tools

Key facts and figures

Malaria is a major public health problem in Africa. Drugs that can be fed into the drug development pipeline are very much needed. Diagnostic tools like those that are applicable in the field or those that can monitor resistance are also needed. Since malaria is an African problem, projects should be driven by local investigators and be African oriented with agenda aligned to local health priorities. Drug discovery and diagnostic platforms should be based on networks. Collaboration among African countries is wanting.

Initiatives on the ground; experience/s derived

Formation of ANDI whose vision is to create a sustainable platform for R&D innovation in Africa to address Africa’s own health needs

Research Findings

• ANDI reported that African countries are not collaborating much among themselves. They collaborate more with the north.

• There is need for Africa to have its own funding agency

• Need for longtime commitment and investment

• Need to foster sustainable research capacity

• Africans need to take an active role in modern drug discovery approaches

• Industry has little interest in research in diagnostic R&D

Lessons learned

Despite many years of natural products research in Africa there is no single drug that has been discovered from African natural products. There is need to establish multidisciplinary approach and integrate different assays to add value to natural products research

Issues raised, obstacles, difficulties

• Funding is a challenge

• Lack of political will and commitment

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

From open discussions/debates

• There is need to coordinate research work in Africa

• Do Africans have their own funding agency?

• DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics) is an important aspect in serious drug discovery

• WHO has developed guidelines on traditional medicine research

• Nanotechnology improves bioavailability up to 100 times. It is an important aspect to consider in drug discovery projects

• Researchers should put TPP (target product profile) in mind while carrying out their research and work backwards.

• There are good publications but no products from Africa. ANDI should make this happen

• African should strive for ownership of what they are doing.

• African scientist to define their research and agenda. Most of the ongoing projects are driven by the north and Africans take a ride

• There is lack of creativity in drug discovery.

• Important to start with the right methodology

Identified conclusions

African scientists competent but they need to formulate their own research agenda addressing their local problems. African governments need to commit themselves more to R&D.

Recommendations

• There is need to bridge the gap between chemical and biochemical investigators. Multidisciplinary research is important

• Need for government commitment to Science and Technology

• Protection of indigenous knowledge is essential

• Need to bridge the gap between laboratory and commercialization

• Strengthen synthetic chemistry in Africa

Personal observations from rapporteur

Bravo! To whoever came up with the idea of ANDI. I hope 15 year from now we shall have products coming from Africa and solving African health problems.

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