01989nas a2200193   4500000000100000008004100001653002000042653002300062653002100085653001800106653003900124653002300163653002200186100001800208245010800226856008600334300000800420520136700428       2024                            d10aChagas' disease10aDrug repositioning10aDrug repurposing10aLeishmaniasis10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aParasitic Diseases10aSleeping sickness1 aO. J. Porta E00aThe crucial role of drug repositioning in tackling Chagas disease, sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis  uhttps://api-journal.accscience.com/journal/article/preview?doi=10.36922/itps.3721  a1-83 a<p>Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), and leishmaniasis, disproportionately affect lowincome populations in tropical and subtropical regions, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. Consequently, these diseases, historically overlooked in global health agendas, perpetuate cycles of poverty and impede economic development. Drug repositioning, the repurposing of existing drugs for new therapeutic uses presents a promising strategy by reducing drug development time and cost while leveraging known safety profiles. However, despite its success in other therapeutic areas, this approach remains underutilized for NTDs due to challenges such as a limited drug pool, intellectual property barriers, regulatory complexities, and ethical concerns. Essential strategies to overcome these obstacles include expanding approved drug libraries, fostering multi-sector collaborations, streamlining regulatory processes, and adopting innovative funding models. Collaborative efforts among governments, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and non-profit health organizations are crucial to fully unlock the potential of drug repositioning. By working together as a united front, these stakeholders can ultimately transform NTD treatment and improve global health outcomes.</p>