Page 8 - NIH Bulletin Vol. 21: January - June 2023 NIH Way Forward

Vol : 21 • January - Jun 2023 •

Dr. Neelika Malavige, Mr. Jean-Michel Piedagnel, Mr. Tilakbabu Ramanaidu, Dr. Ami Fazlin Syed Mohamed, and key guests
PROMINENT VISITORS FROM DRUGS FOR NEGLECTED
PROMINENT VISITORS FROM DRUGS FOR NEGLECTED
. .
. .
DISEASE iNITIATIVE (DNDi)
DISEASE iNITIATIVE (DNDi)
• • • • • •
Dr. Sujatha Suthandiram

On 14 March 2023, the Institute for Medical The visit further strengthens the role of IMR as
Research (IMR) welcomed distinguished visitors part of the Preclinical Working Group in the DNDi
from the Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative Dengue Alliance. The Dengue Alliance is a global
(DNDi), which is made up of Dr. Neelika Malavige, partnership led by institutions from dengue-
Head of the Global Programme on Dengue Fever endemic countries that aim to fill in this gap and
and Scientific Affairs, Mr. Jean-Michel Piedagnel, develop affordable and accessible treatments
Director, DNDi Southeast Asia Regional Office, for dengue. This was part of the efforts in 2021,
and Mr. Tilakbabu Ramanaidu, DNDi 2nd Regional where Dr. Akhmal Yusof, CEO of Clinical Research
Affairs Senior Officer. The visit included the Virology Malaysia and Jean-Michel Piedagnel, Director,
laboratories, the Infectious Diseases Research DNDi Southeast Asia Regional Office signed a new
Centre (IDRC), and the Bioassay Laboratory, Herbal dengue partnership agreement. The momentous
Medicine Research Centre (HMRC). moment was accompanied by Dr. Noor Hisham
Abdullah, former Director-General of Health, Mr.
Khairy Jamaluddin, former Minister of Health, and
Dr. Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim, former Deputy
Director-General of Health.
During the discussion session, Dr. Neelika also
shared her passion in a talk entitled, ‘Dengue
Research: Local and International Experience’.

Dr. Neelika Malavige, Dr. Ami Fazlin Syed Mohamed, and others
during the virology laboratory area visit
The DNDi was founded in 2003 by the medical
humanitarian organization Médecins Sans
Frontières (MSF), the World Health Organization
(WHO), and five international research institutions.
They aim to discover, develop, and deliver new
treatments for neglected patients around the
world that are affordable and patient-friendly. The
initiative to date has saved millions of lives through
improvements in treatment access. Meeting with key guests in the boardroom of the IMR, NIH

8 NIH Bulletin | National Institutes of Health