Release
2024/03/04
OSAKA, Japan, March 4, 2024 – Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; Chief Executive Officer: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.; hereafter “Shionogi”) announced that we have commenced the second phase of our collaboration with Nagasaki University (Location: Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture; President: Takeshi Nagayasu), with a focus on comprehensive cooperation in the field of infectious diseases, particularly malaria.
In February 2019, we signed an agreement (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement") with Nagasaki University to facilitate this cooperation. We have been working diligently on the activities outlined in the Agreement and have now decided to proceed with the second phase.
During the first phase (February 2019 to March 2024), Shionogi and Nagasaki University collaborated closely with seven newly partnered institutions※ and made significant progress in research related to the prevention and treatment of malaria. We also established a foundation for drug discovery research in malaria. In drug discovery, we discovered new candidate compounds and established highly effective vaccine modalities for vaccine research. In the second phase (April 2024 to March 2029), building upon the achievements of the first phase, we will expedite the transition of candidate compounds to early development stages and continue to explore new drug discovery research to address unmet needs.
※Kitasato Institute, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, GHIT Fund, Medicines for Malaria Venture（MMV）, Osaka Metropolitan University, Mount Kenya University, Ehime University
Malaria is one of the world's top 3 infectious diseases worldwide along with AIDS and tuberculosis, and mainly occurs in epidemics in tropical regions and subtropical regions. The reported number of patients with newly diagnosed is approximately 250 millions/year and the number of death due to malaria is approximately 610 thousands/ year1. Because the efficacy of the preventive vaccine is inadequate and also because a number of the parasites have developed resistance to the existing treatments, malaria has been a serious threat to mankind globally. Furthermore, in recent years, the number of endemic areas has been expanding due to climate change, and it is now being viewed as a serious threat to humanity worldwide.
Shionogi is committed to “Protect people worldwide from the threat of infectious diseases” as our key focus. We are not only conducting research and development of novel therapeutics, but we are also working towards total care, through building awareness, epidemiologic monitoring, prevention, diagnosis, and addressing exacerbations, as well as treating the infection itself. As a leading company in infectious diseases, we will continue to actively address a range of infectious diseases, including the world's top 3 infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and COVID-19, which constitute major public health issues.
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