Prof Samuel Kariuki, DNDi Continental Lead Africa & Eastern Africa Director, with former director Dr Monique Wasunna, currently the DNDi Africa Ambassador.The Drugs for Neglected Diseases
initiative (DNDi), a non-profit medical research organisation co-founded by the
Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), has been awarded the fifth Hideyo
Noguchi Africa Prize in the medical services category.
The award was presented on Friday, in
Tokyo, in the presence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and hosted by Prime
Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize,
established by the Government of Japan in 2006, is considered the country’s
highest medical honour.
It is awarded every three years in
memory of Dr Hideyo Noguchi (1876–1928), a Japanese physician and
bacteriologist who died in Africa while studying yellow fever. The prize
recognises outstanding achievements in medical research and services in Africa
that contribute to better health and welfare.
DNDi was recognised for its
pioneering role in developing and delivering new treatments for neglected
tropical diseases, particularly sleeping sickness. Since its creation in 2003,
DNDi has delivered 13 new treatments for six deadly diseases, nine of which
were developed and delivered from Africa. Among its breakthroughs is
fexinidazole, the world’s first all-oral treatment for both forms of sleeping
sickness—gambiense and rhodesiense—diseases that had long burdened African
communities.
“This recognition is proof of the
power of a model for medical innovation driven purely by patients’ needs, where
African scientists are leading the charge against diseases that have long
burdened our communities,” said Prof Samuel Kariuki, DNDi Continental Lead
Africa & Eastern Africa Director. “DNDi was founded with the vision that
Africa should not have to wait for others to solve our health challenges. We
remain committed to ensuring that no disease is overlooked simply because it
affects the poorest and most vulnerable.”
The organisation’s work spans
multiple African countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda,
Guinea, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where
it has partnered with local institutions to conduct clinical trials and roll
out treatments. Beyond sleeping sickness, DNDi has advanced new therapies for
leishmaniasis, pediatric HIV, and mycetoma, and is pushing for innovations
against river blindness and dengue.
Kemri, which co-founded DNDi,
celebrated the recognition. “As one of DNDi’s founding partners, Kemri is immensely
proud to see DNDi recognised for its outstanding contributions, and for our
shared commitment to addressing neglected diseases,” said Prof Elijah Songok,
Director General of Kemri. “It demonstrates that when African institutions lead
research initiatives, we achieve global impact. This prize validates the
critical role African research institutions play in advancing global health
equity.”
The medical research category of
this year’s prize went to Dr Abdoulaye Djimdé of Mali, recognised for his
contributions to malaria treatment and control. Past laureates include Kenya’s
Prof Miriam Were, the Guinea Worm Eradication Program of the Carter Centre, South
Africa’s Dr Salim and Dr Quarraisha Abdool Karim, and Dr Jean-Jacques
Muyembe-Tamfum of the DRC.
In accepting the award, DNDi
expressed gratitude to Kemri for its nomination and to the Government of Japan
for the recognition. The organization reaffirmed its mission to deliver safe,
effective, and affordable treatments for neglected patients worldwide, with
research priorities now also focusing on climate-linked diseases and health
equity.