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Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

DNDi

Founded in 2003 to address the needs of patients with the most neglected diseases, DNDi is a collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, not-for-profit drug RD organization.

Lobbying Activity

Response to EU Strategy on medical countermeasures

8 May 2025

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is a global not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization. During COVID-19, we launched ANTICOV, a multi-country trial focusing on development of therapeutics, and are actively involved in drug discovery efforts targeting coronaviruses, flaviviruses, and other diseases of pandemic potential. DNDi welcomes the creation of the new end-to-end MCM Strategy to strengthen the EUs ability to respond to public health crises. This Strategy will be critical not only for EU preparedness but also for addressing the global nature of cross-border health threats. We, therefore, support its focus on building R&D capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and wish to highlight three other key aspects the Strategy should address: 1. Placing equitable access and affordability at its core Pro-access conditions can ensure that public investments yield tangible health gains and long-term cost savings and should be consistently applied across all funding streams. Embeding access, affordability, and equity throughout the entire R&D process to ensure a more effective and inclusive response to future emergencies, translating public investments into public benefit. Guiding the development of policies that tie EU incentives and funding to pro-access conditions, ensuring that MCMs are accessible to all populations, including those beyond EU borders. Such an approach would support the EUs commitment to implementing Article 9.5 of the WHO Pandemic Agreement. 2. Prioritizing end-to-end therapeutic R&I Therapeutics play a critical role in responding to health emergencies. However, currently, the pipeline for clinical candidates is bare, with significant therapeutic developments limited to diseases like COVID-19, Ebola Zaire, and Lassa. The preclinical pipeline for most other viral diseases remains limited or empty, indicating a severe gap in our readiness to combat such threats. Prioritizing therapeutic R&I, with the aim of reinvigorating the antiviral pipeline, particularly early-stage discovery Leveraging synergies and collaborate with existing initiatives, such as the recently conceptualised Therapeutics Development Coalition, which aims to increase coordination and investment in end-to-end therapeutics development against pathogens with pandemic potential. The Coalitions priorities ranging from the advancement of platform technologies to support Disease X response to the establishment of pre-agreed pathways for trial, approval, manufacture, and procurement with equitable access as a core commitment closely align with and could significantly complement the EU Strategys objective. 3. Supporting R&I for neglected and climate sensitive diseases with pandemic and epidemic potential The recent global emergence of dengue affecting numerous high- and low-income countries, illustrates the growing threat of neglected climate-sensitive diseases with pandemic and epidemic potential. Emerging drivers such as climate change and migration are intensifying the burden, including within the EU, and highlight the urgent need for proactive investment and preparedness. introducing targeted incentives and sustained funding for R&I targeting poverty-related and neglected diseases, which are increasingly associated with epidemic potential. Securing dedicated funding streams aimed at developing health solutions, including vaccines, treatments and diagnostics to address impacts of climate change on infectious diseases and help build resilient health systems. DNDi stands ready to provide strategic and technical advice to support the development and implementation of the MCM strategy and ensure the EU and the rest of the world are prepared for future health crises.
Read full response

Meeting with Felix Fernandez-Shaw (Director Directorate-General for International Partnerships) and

1 Apr 2025 · Plenary Feedback round on previously held GGIA Working Group sessions of 9 different thematical groups regarding Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Meeting with Laurent Muschel (Acting Director-General Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority)

28 Nov 2024 · Development of MCM against climate related health threats

Meeting with Iliana Ivanova (Commissioner) and

22 Apr 2024 · Support of the European Framework Programme for health research and innovation

Meeting with Helmut Scholz (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Médecins Sans Frontières International and Stichting Health Action International

4 Oct 2023 · Compulsory licenses

Meeting with Sandra Gallina (Director-General Health and Food Safety)

1 Jul 2022 · Conversation with DNDi and GARDP on possible collaboration for DG Santé

Meeting with Jean-Eric Paquet (Director-General Research and Innovation)

14 Jan 2022 · HERA