Notice
2025/05/09
OSAKA, Japan, May 9 , 2025 - Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; hereinafter, “Shionogi”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement (hereinafter, “the Agreement”) with Nagasaki University (Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki; hereinafter, “Nagasaki University”), Saraya Co., Ltd. (Location: Osaka City, Osaka; hereinafter, “Saraya”), and Connect Afya Inc. (Location: Tatsuno City, Hyogo; hereinafter, “Connect Afya”) to support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) systems in healthcare institutions in the Republic of Kenya (hereinafter, “Kenya”) as of May 9.
The four parties—Shionogi, Nagasaki University, Saraya, and Connect Afya—have each contributed to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the greatest global public health threats, through various roles such as academic research in infectious diseases, the development and supply of antimicrobials, infection control, and laboratory support. Sharing the common goal of strengthening AMR countermeasures in Kenya while also aiming to expand healthcare initiatives across other African countries and regions, the four parties have decided to formalize their collaboration through this Agreement.
Based on this Agreement, the four parties will work together on the following initiatives:
・ Launch and implementation of joint research projects related to AMR in Kenya (Promotion of surveys and research related to AMR in Kenyan healthcare institutions)
・ International collaboration on AMR initiatives (Cooperation with the Kenyan government and healthcare institutions, as well as with Shionogi’s global partners such as the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)1 )
・ Human resource development in infectious disease control (Training of future AMR leaders through education on infection control and appropriate antimicrobial use for Kenyan healthcare professionals)
・ Other collaborative activities supporting AMR measures
Shionogi has identified “Improve access to healthcare” as one of its material issues (materiality), and is actively strengthening its collaborative efforts, including with its international partners1. The company contributes to a sustainable society by improving access to AMR treatment and supporting maternal and child health initiatives in Africa. As a leading company in infectious diseases, Shionogi remains committed to addressing major public health challenges, including the three major infectious diseases, AMR, and COVID-19.
For more information on Shionogi’s initiatives on AMR, please click [here].
For more information on Shionogi’s maternal and child health initiatives in Africa, please click [here].
About Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the phenomenon where bacteria acquire resistance to antibiotics, is one of the most significant global public health threats facing humanity and requires urgent action. AMR has been referred to as a "silent pandemic,” and without countermeasures, it is projected to result in over 10 million deaths annually by 20502-4.
About Nagasaki University:
With a legacy rooted in the introduction of Western medicine through Nagasaki during the Edo Period, Nagasaki University has been engaged in infectious disease research since 1942. Today, it becomes one of Japan’s leading centers for infectious disease research and education. The Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Education Center at Nagasaki University Hospital, which plays a key role in this Agreement, owns and operates Japan’s designated isolation beds for patients with Class I infectious diseases such as viral hemorrhagic fever. This department and center actively contributes to infection control and care of the patients both within and beyond the hospital, including previous support in hospitals in Liberia, West Africa, where outbreak of Ebola diseases occurred.
About Saraya Co., Ltd.:
Saraya is committed to building a more prosperous and productive global society through its three core pillars of business: hygiene, the environment, and health. Since its founding in 1952, the company has been developing and providing a wide range of products and services, including various detergents, disinfectants, and food items,
for both household and professional use. In Africa, Saraya began local production and sales of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in Uganda in 2014. In addition to supplying products to Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other countries, the company also contributes to the capacity building of infection control professionals in healthcare settings through collaborations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and local ministries of health.
About Connect Afya Inc.:
Founded in 2018 and operating in Kenya as CA MEDLYNKS, Connect Afya Ltd. pursues one clear mandate—“Deliver Healthcare When and Where Necessary.” Its ISO 15189- and KENAS-accredited reference laboratory in Nairobi spans routine chemistry, hematology, and microbiology through next-generation sequencing on the latest Illumina systems and advanced immunohistochemistry for precision oncology. Building on this platform, the company aims to launch antimicrobial-resistance monitoring to support stewardship programs nationwide. Partnerships with a diverse group of Japanese healthcare and life-science firms have already transferred critical technologies and trained more than 100 Kenyan scientists, positioning Connect Afya to narrow Africa’s diagnostic gap.
Reference:
2. Antimicrobial resistance (who.int) WHO. Antimicrobial resistance. Who.int. Published October 13, 2020.
3. Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. Lancet 2022; 399: 629–55
4. 160525_Final paper_with cover.pdf (amr-review.org)O’Neill J. ‘Tackling Drug-Resistant Infections Globally: Final Report and Recommendations’. Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. May 2016.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, lack of availability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For Further Information, Contact:
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