Institute for OneWorld Health

Overview

The Institute for OneWorld Health, the first nonprofit pharmaceutical company in the United States, was founded in 2000 to treat neglected diseases affecting the poorest of the poor in the developing world. The organization’s innovative business model combines the research, development and regulatory expertise of the pharmaceutical industry with a nonprofit mission to bring needed cures for diseases of poverty to rural and resource-constrained populations.

Mission

The Institute for OneWorld Health develops safe, effective, and affordable new medicines for people with infectious diseases in the developing world.

Program

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL): Endemic to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Africa and Brazil, Visceral Leishmaniasis (kala-azar in Hindi) is the second most deadly parasitic disease following malaria. Together with its Indian manufacturing partner, Gland Pharma of Hyderabad, OneWorld Health publicly announced in September 2006 approval by the Indian regulatory authorities of its first drug, Paromomycin Intramuscular (IM) Injection, as a new and affordable cure for the disease. Working with local and regional supply and distribution partners, OneWorld Health now hopes to extend treatment to other visceral leishmaniasis endemic geographies.

Malaria: A unique, collaborative technical partnership coordinated by OneWorld Health will apply synthetic biology techniques to help address the drug supply problem in many developing world countries. The malaria artemisinin project is working toward producing a reliable supply of artemisinin, an essential component in the World Health Organization’s recommended treatment for malaria at an affordable price.

Diarrheal Disease: Diarrheal disease is a leading cause of death among children in the developing world and is responsible for approximately two million deaths annually. OneWorld Health is pursuing drug development leads for anti-secretory drugs to be used in conjunction with existing Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT).

Impact

OneWorld Health has directly benefited 667 patients with VL who participated in the Phase III trial in India, and the Phase IV study will directly benefit at least 1200 VL patients. Paromomycin will be used as an additional public health tool in the Government of India’s disease elimination programs.

Photo credit: Jonathan Torgovnik

Countries of Operation

India