Our episode last week ended on a hopeful note, a rare occurrence for this podcast, and it was due in large part to the incredible decline in reported cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) over the past decade. In this bonus episode, we explore one of the major reasons behind this drop in HAT: the new medication fexinidazole, developed through a partnership between the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing new treatments for neglected diseases and Sanofi, a French healthcare company. We are thrilled to be joined by two researchers from DNDi, Dr. Nathalie Strub-Wourgaft and Dr. Wilfried Mutombo Kalonji, who share their insights into the challenges associated with bringing a medication all the way from its development stage, to testing it in the field, and finally ensuring that access is provided for those who need it most. We also chat about how this treatment works, the impact that COVID-19 has had on screening efforts for sleeping sickness, the lessons learned from fexinidazole’s development, and so much more. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts! And when you’re finished with the ep, check out this beautiful video from DNDi chronicling the story of fexinidazole: A doctor’s dream: A pill for sleeping sickness.
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Ep 127 Bhopal: The 1984 Union Carbide Disaster
Ep 126 Migraine: A Cacophony in Four Movements
Ep 125 Blastomycosis: How fungus became amongus
Ep 124 The full spectrum of color vision deficiency
Ep 123 Hand, Foot, and Mouth (and Butt?) Disease
Ep 122 Asthma: A phlegmy episode
Special Episode: Ed Yong & An Immense World
Ep 121 Tularemia: Hare today, gone tomorrow
Special Episode: Deborah Blum & The Poison Squad
Ep 120 Acetaminophen/Paracetamol: Pain. Killer.
Special Episode: Dr. Andrew Wehrman & The Contagion of Liberty
Ep 119 Marburg virus: Too fast, too furious
Special Episode: Dr. Steven Thrasher & The Viral Underclass
Ep 118 Asbestos: Corruption and cancer and corporate greed, oh my!
Special Episode: Mary Roach & Fuzz
Ep 117 Bedbugs: Bug-bitten and bedeviled
Special Episode: Dr. Kate Clancy & Period
Ep 116 It's never lupus (except this time)
Ep 115 Altitude Sickness: Balloons though?
Special Episode: Angela Saini & Superior
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