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DISEASE INFORMATION

Leprosy

We are evaluating an improved treatment for this debilitating condition

OVERVIEW

What is leprosy?

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, is a chronic infectious disease which may cause skin lesions and nerve damage. It is caused by slow-growing Mycobacterium leprae bacteria.  

Around 30 to 50 per cent of leprosy patients develop leprosy type 2 reactions (also known as erythema nodosum leprosum). This condition is an immune-mediated and severe complication of leprosy, which can affect people with active leprosy infection, as well as those who have been effectively cured with multidrug therapy, even many years later. Patients usually present with painful nodules, often distributed between existing lesions, and a moderate to high fever. Leprosy and leprosy reactions patients have been stigmatised and discriminated against since time immemorial, and at least 17 countries still allow discrimination based on this disease.

THE STATS

Why are we targeting this disease?

174 087

new cases of leprosy were registered in 2022

127

countries: leprosy is found in, with the largest number of cases in India, followed by Indonesia and Brazil

30-50%

of patients with multi-bacillary form of leprosy develop immune-mediated reactive states including leprosy Type 2 reactions.

INFOGRAPHIC

Transmission stages of Onchocerca volvulus

WHAT we're DOING

Dovramilast (previously known as CC-11050 or AMG 634)

Leprosy type 2 reactions are currently treated mainly with corticosteroids, which are often required for extended periods of time, leading to serious adverse effects. The inflammatory responses of leprosy type 2 reactions can cause morbidity and mortality if not treated in a timely manner.

Dovramilast has completed part 1 of a two stage Phase 2a clinical trial in Nepal, sponsored by the Leprosy Mission and funded by Amgen, Inc.

Moxidectin project websites

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Moxidectin for accelerating onchocerciasis elimination

A paediatric dose-finding study, a phase 3b trial comparing efficacy and safety of annual and biannual moxidectin or ivermectin treatment and mathematical modelling of moxidectin and ivermectin based elimination strategies to support country policy decisions.

Project Website
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Treatment for all: a paediatric formulation of moxidectin for neglected infectious diseases

The MiniMox project is developing an alternative formulation of moxidectin.  This formulation is intended for children and others unable to swallow the 2mg tablets available.

Project Website
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Implementing moxidectin in community treatment of River Blindness

MDGH is supporting the first implementation of moxidectin as an alternative treatment in onchocerciasis elimination programs.

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Take a look at the research and development work

Disease areas

Primarily affecting the lungs, tuberculosis remains the leading cause of infectious death worldwide.

Tuberculosis

A debilitating and disfiguring disease found in 31 African countries and beyond.

River blindness

An infectious skin condition affecting more than 200 million people at any one time.

Scabies

A painful and debilitating disease of the lymph system affecting over 50 million people at any one time.

Lymphatic filariasis

A soil-transmitted infection affecting up to 100 million people, particularly children.

Strongyloidiasis

A chronic infectious disease which may cause skin lesions and nerve damage found in 127 countries.

Leprosy

Among the most common of all infections with an estimated 1.5 billion people infected worldwide.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections