Addressing Neglected Tropical Diseases
Although tremendous advances have been made in our understanding and treatment of disease, major challenges remain in improving health for populations in the developing world. Chemistry professor Michael Pollastri, Ph.D. spoke on the issue October 12
- Northeastern University chemistry professor Michael Pollastri, along with several colleagues, have developed the Integrated Initiative for Global Health. On Friday, October 12, 2012, Professor Pollastri spoke to more than 100 people at Northeastern about his work in addressing neglected tropical diseases, including malaria, sleeping sickness, and Chagas disease.
Of 1,556 drugs developed ‘75-‘04, #NTDs accounted for only 1.3% of them, but are 12% of world's disease burden. #NTDPollastri- Complex issues such as inadequate therapies, poor infrastructure, governmental policy, and inadequate health care and education stifle progress. In the face of these multiple challenges, diseases that are endemic in developing nations are repeatedly 'neglected' by scientists and pharmaceutical companies based in developed nations.
Only 10 percent if healthcare research spending is directed toward 90% of the population. #ntdpollastri #nucos- (minor typo above: Only 10 percent of healthcare...)
- 80 drugs currently in development for prostate cancer. 4 are currently in development for sleeping sickness. #ntdpollastri #nucos
- #Northeastern has the skill set to fill the gap in drug discovery and policy. #ntdpollastri
- Neglected disease initiative to open door to more global coops for students. #ntdpollastri
- Northeastern University is known throughout the world for its leading co-op program in which students work for six months while pursuing an undergraduate degree.
- Neglected disease initiative bringing together faculty all over #Northeastern #interdisciplinary #ntdpollastri
- it takes 15-20 years and $1billion from idea to drug. @nutrypkiller streamlining process by target repurposing #ntdpollastri
- Data sharing in #ntd drug discovery will expand r&d efforts and lead to new compounds and data. #ntdpollastri
- @nutrypkiller discusses #DD data sharing model at #Northeastern-data shared with expanded groups, share resources & models #ntdpollastri
- Open source #ntd drug discovery: http://www.northeastern.edu/pollastri/?page_id=444 #ntdpollastri
- Five year plan: expand faculty in medicinal chem, pathogen biology, public health policy. #ntdpollastri
- Five year plan: become world leader in global health. #Northeastern #ntdpollastri
- #ntdpollastri five year plan: have one or more diagnostic, drug and/or formulation in the process of transition to a development partner
- #ntdpollastri check out the new global health website! Northeastern.edu/globalhealth
@BillGates thanks for helping collaborate on neglected tropical disease research #NTDPollastri #NTDs
