The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund announced today a total investment of approximately JPY 2 billion (USD 12.7 million1) in eight projects for the development of new diagnostics and drugs for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and malaria2.
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There is an estimated 700,000 to 1 million new cases annually of leishmaniasis, a NTD caused by Leishmania parasites transmitted through sandfly bites3. To advance measures against the disease, the GHIT Fund has decided to invest JPY 670 Million (USD 4.2 Million1) to support a project led by the Ohio State University in collaboration with Nagasaki University and icddr,b, an international health research organization based in Bangladesh.
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Building on previous research, the project will refine formulations of the leishmanin antigen, conduct pre-clinical safety and efficacy studies and prepare for regulatory submissions for clinical trials. This project aims to strengthen efforts to monitor infection status and eliminate visceral leishmaniasis. The initiative, driven by global partnerships, is expected to make a significant contribution to tackling NTDs and advancing global health.
The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund will also invest in two malaria projects: approximately JPY 680 million (USD 4.2 million1) for the development of a malaria therapeutic drug through a partnership between Eisai Co., Ltd. (Eisai) and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), and approximately JPY 585 million (USD 3.7 million1) for the development of a preventive drug for P. falciparum malaria under the partnership of Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), GSK Global Health, Eisai and Ehime University.
In addition, the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund will invest in the following five screening projects for a total amount of approximately JPY 83 million (USD 0.5 million1):
- Screening project against malaria by MMV and Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.
- Screening project against Dengue and Zika by Eisai and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)
- Screening project against Lassa fever by MMV and RIKEN
- Screening project against Rift Valley fever by MMV and RIKEN
- Screening project against Ebola and Marburg by MMV and RIKEN
As of January 30, 2025, the GHIT Fund has invested in 37 projects, including 15 discovery projects, 14 preclinical projects and 8 clinical trials4. The total amount of investments since 2013 is JPY 35.8 billion (USD 226 millon1) (Appendix 2).
About Global Health Innovative Technology Fund
The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund), headquartered in Japan, is an international public-private partnership between the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), seven Japanese pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and United Nations Development Programme.
Global Health Innovative Technology funds scientific research and development for anti-infectives and diagnostics for diseases that primarily affect the developing world. GHIT is the first public-private partnership fund to involve a national government, a UN agency, a consortium of pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, and international philanthropic foundations.
