Press Release

Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases inaugurates new clinical research initiative in Indonesia to study dengue fever, tuberculosis and malaria

• Partnership with Eijkman Institute and Hasanuddin University will expand NITD´s research capabilities and expertise

• Alliance will drive clinical research to explore novel approaches for the treatment of dengue fever, tuberculosis and malaria

• New laboratories in Makassar will conduct patient studies in epidemiology, diagnostics, biomarker technologies and novel drug candidates

 

Jakarta, Indonesia, January 25, 2006-Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD) opened today a new clinical research initiative in Makassar, Indonesia, which will further expand its capabilities to conduct research for tuberculosis (TB), dengue fever and malaria.

NITD is collaborating with the Eijkman Institute in Jakarta and Hasanuddin University Clinical Research Institute in Makassar, Indonesia, to form a joint collaboration that will recruit top scientists from Indonesia and provide NITD researchers direct access to hospitals and patients in a "real-life" context. In addition, NITD will also train and educate young students, post-docs and healthcare staff.

The NITD - Eijkman Institute - Hasanuddin University Clinical Research Initiative (NEHCRI) partnership will bring together the broad expertise of Novartis in all aspects of drug discovery and development, as well as technologies, financial resources and local clinical experience in tropical diseases.

The Eijkman Institute will offer an excellent facility to enhance the study of molecular biology and biochemistry of dengue fever, TB and malaria, while the Medical Faculty of Hasanuddin University will establish a clinical research unit devoted to patient studies in epidemiology, diagnostics, biomarker technologies and novel drug candidates.

This new initiative is the latest investment by Novartis to discover and develop novel treatments for tropical diseases, and will strengthen translational clinical research in this area.

"To meet our commitment in tropical disease research, scientists at NITD will now have direct access to patients and their doctors in an environment typical for many TB, dengue and malaria patients," said Professor Paul Herrling, Chairman of NITD and Head of Corporate Research at Novartis. "We hope this initiative will help us to design better treatments for patients in endemic regions."

"Neglected diseases occurring in developing countries lack the sound epidemiology and clinical pathophysiology that are the bedrock of drug discovery," said Professor Idrus Paturusi, Director, Hasanuddin University. "The new NEHCRI center will be a great benefit to the Indonesian clinician research community, both as a center of excellence, and opportunity for Indonesian researchers."

Professor Sangkot Marzuki, Director, Eijkman Institute added, "Clinical trial sites in developing countries are typically infrequent and not well developed. NITD’s establishment of NEHCRI will positively impact the quality of patient care and programs both in Asia and around the world."

The incidence of dengue fever, TB and malaria is accelerating rapidly, especially in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, more than 58,000 new cases of dengue fever were discovered in Indonesia in 2004, and some 2.5 billion people worldwide are at risk of the disease. The prevalence of TB is also alarming: a third of the world´s population is affected with the disease and more than two million people die from TB each year. Yet, there is no antiviral treatment to address the medical needs of dengue fever and new treatments are needed for TB. Furthermore, the Southeast Asia region accounts for nearly 40 percent of all of TB cases around the world. Malaria, too, is a pressing yet under-recognized global health issue. A largely preventable disease, it infects 300 to 650 million people each year, and kills one to three million people a year worldwide.

NEHCRI is located at the Eijkman Institute in Jakarta and the Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital in Makassar.