Market Devices and the Assetization of Neglected Diseases

A Case Study of Leishmaniasis Drug Development

Bibliographic Data

ID5363282
AuthorsMady Malheiros Barbeitas (0000-0001-7015-4863, Centre de Recherche Médecine, Sciences, Santé, Santé Mentale, Société, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume50
Issue6
Pages1266-1290
Publication date2025-06-12
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScience Technology & Human Values (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0162-2439 • E-ISSN: 1552-8251
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/01622439251333913
OpenAlexW4411290679
LanguageEN
References cited24

This article examines the market devices designed to address the "market failure" surrounding neglected diseases, focusing on international drug-development activities for leishmaniasis. Using public-private partnerships and the US Food and Drug Administration's Priority Review Voucher as key examples, the article explores how these initiatives have transformed drug development for neglected diseases over time. By tracing the history of two drug candidates for leishmaniasis-miltefosine and Anfoleish-the analysis reveals how the market devices initially intended to de-risk drug development have been turned into financial assets, aligning with the profit-driven imperatives of large pharmaceutical companies. This process, known as assetization, is examined through a long-term perspective that highlights the interaction between global health actors, pharmaceutical firms, and regulatory frameworks. The case of leishmaniasis offers a nuanced understanding of how commercial interests have shaped the market for neglected diseases, despite efforts to make them less neglected

Drug · Drug development · Leishmaniasis · Political science · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · Intellectual Property and Patents · Medicine · Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy · Immunology · Pharmacology

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