Novartis and Fiocruz establish partnership in neglected diseases

The Novartis Group and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) signed, in Rio de Janeiro, a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the cooperation intention of the two institutions in teaching, research and technological development projects to combat neglected diseases such as Leprosy, Chagas disease, malaria and sickle cell disease. The partnership contemplates the elaboration and joint implementation of initiatives in health research and the academic exchange of researchers and students, in addition to prioritizing the sharing of information and technical documentation, organization of conferences and the publication of scientific articles. The research will be in partnership with clinical centers in Latin America.

“Novartis is committed to contributing to the eradication of these diseases and to generate a positive impact on the Brazilian health area and, consequently, to improve and extend people’s lives. This agreement establishes an exchange of know-how that will provide progress in public health policies in Brazil”, explains Novartis’ Global Head of Corporate Responsibility, Patrice Matchaba.

According to the vice president of Production and Innovation in Health of the Foundation, Marco Aurélio Krieger, “Fiocruz’s science, technology and innovation system seeks to transfer the scientific knowledge developed in our laboratories, and also through partnerships, to society. In this sense, this agreement aims at using new technologies to tackle old problems”. Krieger also affirms that, “this way, the same technologies that are being used to confront the most prevalent diseases may be employed against the illnesses that affect neglected populations”.