Gilead Sciences and WHO partner to combat visceral leishmaniasis

Gilead Sciences has announced a new partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) to try to combat the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.

The partnership will see the organisations providing $20 million (15.4 million pounds) in funding and drug donations over five years to expand access to diagnostic services and treatment for this deadly parasitic disease.

As part of this collaboration, Gilead will donate 380,000 vials of AmBisome to help WHO treat visceral leishmaniasis in key endemic countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Sudan and Sudan.

Gilead has been supporting WHO's leishmaniasis control programme since 1992, expanding its partnership with the global body in December 2011 by donating approximately 445,000 vials of AmBisome to treat more than 50,000 people over five years, while also increasing the number of treatment centres from fewer than 15 in 2011 to more than 160 in 2015.

Gregg Alton, executive vice-president for commercial and access operations for Asia, Latin America and Africa within Gilead's corporate and medical affairs team, said: "We want to ensure every patient around the world has access to medicines that can save them from life-threatening diseases. This renewed partnership is one step further towards that goal."

The condition is the world's second-deadliest parasitic infectious disease and affects up to 300,000 people annually in some of the poorest countries globally.

With over 20 years of experience within the pharmaceutical market, we at Zenopa have the knowledge, skills and expertise to help find the right job for you. To find out more about the current pharmaceutical roles we have available, you can search for the latest job roles, register your details, or contact the team today.