WHO-TDR's Drug Discovery Program forNeglected Diseases

WHO-TDR's drug discovery programme for neglected diseases (http://www.who.int/tdr/topics/discovery_research/files/discovery_strat.pdf) emphasizes a coordination strategy that involves highly integrated partnerships and networks between scientists in academia and industry in both industrialized countries and disease-endemic countries. This strategy offers the promise of minimizing the inherently high attrition rate of the early stages of drug discovery research, thereby increasing the chances of success and enhancing cost-effectiveness. The current innovation lead discovery strategy involves the following networks: 1) a target portfolio network from which a portfolio of prioritized and validated molecular targets (TDR Target Database, http://tdrtargets.org/) have been developed, 2) a compound evaluation network (in vitro/vivo screening network) in which compounds with an established biological/biochemical rationale or diverse structures, as well as natural products, are tested, and 3) a medicinal chemistry/pharmacokinetics and metabolism network. The progress made in the past two years through this model includes results on the identification of new potential lead structures against various protozoan and helminth parasites; establishment and finalization of contractual agreements with industrial partners; establishment of the DMPK network; lead optimization projects; and the establishment of the’Helminth Drug Initiative (http://www.who.int/tdr/about/press_center/files/helminth.pdf).