The Princess of Asturias Awards are the highest form of recognition bestowed by the Spanish Crown and among the most prestigious in the European Union
The international not-for-profit medical research and development organization, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), will be awarded the 2023 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation on October 20 in Oviedo, Spain.
Recipients of the award, which has been running for 43 years, are distinguished individuals or organisations in the arts, social sciences, communication and humanity, concord, international cooperation, scientific and technical research, sport, and literature. Winners in other categories 2023 include Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, American actress Meryl Streep, and Japanese writer Haruki Murakami.
“It is a great honour and privilege to receive this prestigious award, especially as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. We gratefully accept it on behalf of everyone who works with DNDi worldwide to ensure that the best scientific research is available to the most neglected patients,” said Dr Monique Wasunna, DNDi Africa Ambassador. “We also accept this award on behalf of the millions of neglected patients, and we commit to continue our efforts in driving medical research for neglected diseases.”
Kenya has made history by winning in two categories in this edition; DNDi and Eliud Kipchoge will be awarded in a ceremony graced by the King and Queen of Spain.
The award recognizes DNDi’s accomplishments in delivering new, safe, effective, affordable, and accessible treatments for some of the world’s most neglected diseases. Previous winners in the International Cooperation category include the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Red Cross, Amref Health Africa, and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
DNDi was founded in 2003 as a collaboration between KEMRI, Médecins Sans Frontières, the World Health Organization, and four other publicly funded research institutions in Brazil, France, India, and Malaysia. Over the last two decades, DNDi has successfully developed 12 treatments for six deadly diseases, which include sleeping sickness, visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar), and mycetoma.
“More than a billion people belonging to the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged populations –half of them children – suffer from diseases that cause severe social stigma and millions of deaths yearly. These are diseases neglected by research, industry, and commercial development,” the jury noted.
“In its twenty-year history, the initiative has developed numerous treatments for these serious diseases. Its strategy includes an ambitious plan to develop new drugs and treatments to improve healthcare and save millions of lives worldwide.”
To mark this occasion, DNDi has planned a charity run and free medical camp in West Pokot in November this year for its anniversary celebrations.
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