WHO and Gilead Sciences renew partnership to accelerate visceral leishmaniasis elimination

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Gilead Sciences have renewed their partnership through a new five-year agreement (2026-2030) to support the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a life-threatening neglected tropical disease.

Under the agreement, Gilead Sciences will donate 402 941 vials of AmBisome (liposomal amphotericin B for injection) to treat visceral leishmaniasis and its complications in countries most affected by the disease. Gilead Sciences started donating this medicine to WHO in 2012, and the agreement has since been extended three times.

The partnership also includes financial support to improve access to diagnosis and treatment, and to scale up WHO-recommended interventions for populations at risk.

Since 2011, Gilead Sciences has provided more than 1.1 million vials of AmBisome® and over US$ 18 million for activities, bringing the total to approximately 1.5 million vials and more than US$ 27 million in financial support with this renewed commitment.

"This agreement underscores the power of strategic partnerships in advancing global health priorities. Through our collaboration with Gilead Sciences, WHO is better equipped to support countries in accelerating the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem," said Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care, WHO. "Over the next five years, this collaboration will help expand access to essential tools, foster innovation, and reinforce health systems where the burden is greatest. It reflects our shared determination to translate commitment into measurable impact, ensuring that no community is left behind in the fight against neglected tropical diseases."

The donated medicines will benefit people in high-burden countries, including Bangladesh, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Kenya, Nepal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen.

Gilead Sciences' financial contribution will further support WHO's global efforts to reduce the significant health, social, and economic burden of visceral leishmaniasis among vulnerable populations in endemic regions. It will also help accelerate progress towards the prevention, control, and eventual elimination of the disease.

"Ending visceral leishmaniasis is within reach because of sustained commitment and investment," said Daniel O'Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences. "Through the ​work to expand access to diagnosis and treatment for the disease, we have already made significant progress in endemic regions. With this expanded collaboration and stronger focus on East Africa, we will accelerate progress toward elimination and help more people access the care they need to survive."

Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, is endemic in more than 80 countries and is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Without timely treatment, it is almost always fatal.

"This renewed agreement reflects both how far we have come and what remains to be done. In several endemic countries, sustained commitment and strong partnerships have driven remarkable progress - bringing visceral leishmaniasis to the brink of elimination as a public health problem and significantly reducing the burden on some of the most vulnerable communities," said Dr Daniel Ngamije Madandi, Director, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO. "Yet, transmission persists in challenging settings, and continued vigilance is essential. This collaboration with Gilead Sciences reinforces our support to endemic countries to consolidate gains, reach underserved populations, and accelerate the work toward elimination as a public health problem."

The disease is characterized by prolonged fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia. It disproportionately affects the world's poorest populations and is closely linked to malnutrition, displacement, poor housing conditions, weakened immune systems, and limited access to healthcare.

Visceral leishmaniasis remains highly endemic in Brazil, the Indian subcontinent and East Africa. Each year, an estimated 50 000 to 90 000 new cases occur worldwide, with over 90% reported in 12 countries: Brazil, Chad, Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Kenya, Nepal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen.

As a result of the longstanding collaboration between WHO and partners, including Gilead Sciences, the number of new cases of visceral leishmaniasis in South-East Asia has declined by more than 95% since the start of the elimination programme in 2005, with consequent major reductions in burden of disease; and in 2023 Bangladesh was validated by WHO for eliminating this condition as a public health problem. In other eco-epidemiological areas also, the gains are consolidating.