Novartis Foundation launches new leprosy strategy

Novartis has announced the launch of a new strategy to combat leprosy more effectively during a recent symposium of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development.

The charitable affiliate of the pharmaceutical company held this event to provide international stakeholders with a forum in which to discuss the measures and strategies necessary to eliminate the disease once and for all.

Based on a consensus of knowledgeable experts, the Novartis Foundation will be focusing on interrupting leprosy transmission through early diagnosis and treatment, contact tracing of former patients, diagnostic tools and strict surveillance and response.

This will help to accelerate the momentum of its efforts to combat the disease. Since 2000, its donations of multidrug therapies have helped to treat more than five million patients.

Joseph Jimenez, chief executive officer of Novartis, said: "As part of our pledge to fight neglected diseases in the developing world, Novartis and the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development are committed to going the last mile to help make leprosy history."

This comes in the same week the company published a new study highlighting a potentially promising drug target for the deadly tropical disease malaria.