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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Special Episode: Chlamydia, Koalas, and More!
Ep 94 Chlamydia: Double Trouble
Re-Release: Ep 27 Vaccines Part 2: Have you thanked your immune system lately?
Re-Release: Ep 26 Vaccines Part 1: Let's hear it for Maurice
Special Episode: Electricity
Ep 93 Lightning & Other Stories: Power Hour (and a Half)
Special Episode: Epstein-Barr Virus
Ep 92 Multiple Sclerosis: Scarred nerves & skating saints
Special Episode: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus
Ep 91 Myxomatosis: Down the rabbit hole
Ep 90 Human African Trypanosomiasis: A lot to unpack
Special Episode: Hep B Stigma & Discrimination
Ep 89 Hepatitis B: Hepatiti, Take 2
Ep 88 Endometriosis: Menstrual Backwash
Ep 87 C. diff: Fighting poop with poop
Ep 86 Typhus: Another lousy episode
Ep 85 Alcohol: Beer for Thought
Ep 84 West Nile virus: The Crow in the Coal Mine
Ep 83 Diabetes: Short & Sweet
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