Fexinidazole, an antiprotozoal compound, administered orally and is capable of a much simpler treatment schedule. Clinical trials for the drug is expected to begin in the first half of 2009.
Under the terms of the agreement, DNDi will be responsible for preclinical, clinical and pharmaceutical development and Sanofi- aventis will be responsible for the industrial development, registration, and production of the drugs at its manufacturing sites.
Bernard Pecoul, Executive Director of DND i, said: “ Fexinidazole is the first compound to be advanced by all the way from discovery into clinical development, and is currently the only compound in clinical development for the treatment of sleeping sickness. Thus, this project great promise for the patients and the practitioners in the field.”
