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| Leishmaniasis Vaccine Initiative (LVI)
In 1994, the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), a U.S., tax-exempt not-for-profit scientific organization supported by public funds and Corixa Corporation, a research/development-based biotechnology and vaccine company, established a collaborative partnership to optimize the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics against leishmaniasis and other diseases of the poor. In March 2000, IDRI announced receipt of a $15 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fund IDRI's ongoing effort with Corixa to develop a vaccine to prevent leishmaniasis.
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| About leishmaniasis |
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| Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of some species of sand flies. The disease most commonly manifests either in a cutaneous (skin) form or in a visceral (internal organ) form. Leishmaniasis is endemic in approximately 90 tropical and subtropical countries around the world and in southern Europe. More than 90% of the world's cases of visceral leishmaniasis occur in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal, and Sudan. Vaccines and drugs for preventing infections are not currently available. Preventive measures are aimed at reducing contact with sand flies. |
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| Initiatives by Region |
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| Click on an area of the map to learn about regional health initiatives. |
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