Experts Discuss Decentralized Manufacturing to Tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases and Promote Universal Health Coverage at World Health Assembly Event

News Release

Darmstadt, Germany, May 22, 2019 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, today hosted a panel discussion on the occasion of the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The panel entitled, “Leaving no one behind: from philanthropy to sustainable health solutions. How can decentralized manufacturing be part of an integrated approach to tackling NTDs and advancing Universal Health Coverage?” included some of the world’s foremost health and policy experts:

• Dr. Brett Giroir, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health
• Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Africa
• Prof. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine (Texas, U.S.) and director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development
• Subhanu Saxena, regional director of Life Science Partnerships, Europe at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Dr. Udit Batra, CEO, Life Science and Member of the Merck Executive Board

“Merck is committed to advancing research and development toward the elimination of neglected and emerging illnesses, such as schistosomiasis, one of the most common and devastating parasitic diseases in tropical countries, with more than 280,000 people dying each year as a result,” said Batra. “We, like the World Health Organization, aim to tackle these global challenges and offer a better quality of life.”

The panel discussed the role of decentralized manufacturing as a strategy to address the problem of accessing medicines and biologics and tackling NTDs. Manufacturing of health technologies has been an objective by officials in developing countries around the world who are working with private sector partners to establish production, according to the WHO.

“We understand from both our partners and governments that there is a strong desire to bring biomanufacturing closer to patients, wherever they live, to alleviate supply chain risk, respond to endemic diseases and manufacture at an acceptable or competitive cost,” Batra said. “Today’s single-use and bioprocessing solutions help make that aspiration possible. We stand ready to support governments and manufacturers in advancing their decentralized biomanufacturing infrastructure to enhance patient access to life-saving biologics and biosimilars.”

Since 2007, Merck, through its Healthcare business sector, has been supporting the WHO in the fight against schistosomiasis in Africa. The most effective treatment for this disease to date is Cesol® 600, a tablet that contains the well-tolerated active ingredient known as praziquantel. Merck produces the tablets at its plant in Mexico and covers the transport and logistical costs involved in getting the tablets to Africa, while WHO manages, monitors and documents distribution at the local level.

Merck has significant collaborations with leading universities and research institutes to help advance the vaccine industry as a whole, including Baylor College of Medicine and Oxford University’s Jenner Institute.

The company has two separate collaborations with Baylor College of Medicine, one through its Life Science business and the other through its Healthcare business. In 2017, the Life Science business of Merck formed a strategic alliance with Baylor to advance vaccine research and development for neglected and emerging infections. Also in 2017, Merck’s Healthcare business began a collaboration with the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (James Cook University, Queensland) and Baylor to research new biomarkers for the development of vaccines and diagnostics for schistosomiasis.

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About Neglected Tropical Diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a set of 17 diseases that disproportionately affect more than 1 billion people living primarily in the developing world. As a leading cause of disability, NTDs carry social and economic burdens. However, according to the WHO, many of these diseases can be controlled and, in some cases, eliminated. Merck is committed to research that will treat or even eliminate NTDs and has intensified its efforts to tackle NTDs as part of its campaign to provide access to health.

About Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is transmitted by flatworms. By swimming or washing laundry in contaminated water, people can contract the worm larvae, which then infest their internal organs. The infection rate is especially high among children, and even when it is not fatal, the consequences are serious. In partnership with other organizations including the WHO, Merck has set the goal to fully eliminate this disease.

About the World Health Assembly

The 72nd Session of the WHO’s World Health Assembly (WHA) will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 20 – 28 May 2019. The WHA is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.