The Open Chagas Workshop represented a particularly meaningful collaboration for UNU-BIOLAC. We were thrilled to partner with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and its Open Chagas platform, both of which share a mission closely aligned with UNU-BIOLAC's commitment to advancing sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean through science, innovation, and biotechnology. Since its creation, DNDi has become a global leader in developing life-saving treatments for neglected diseases, championing collaborative and patient-centered research models to ensure traditional research and development pathways do not leave vulnerable populations behind.
Held in São Paulo and Campinas, Brazil, the workshop brought together 19 researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay for an intensive program combining lectures, laboratory visits, practical activities, and networking opportunities. Participants explored the complete drug discovery pipeline for Chagas disease, from target identification and screening strategies to medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetics, translational research, and data analysis, while engaging with experts from DNDi, the University of São Paulo (USP), the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and the University of Dundee.
One of the workshop's most important messages was the need to move drug discovery efforts beyond identifying promising hits. While Latin America generates a wealth of innovative research on Chagas disease, many projects struggle to progress toward lead optimization, preclinical development, and ultimately new treatments that can benefit patients. Through Open Chagas, DNDi is actively addressing this challenge by building regional capacity and scientific networks, connecting experts with the infrastructure needed to advance promising discoveries along the translational pathway.
UNU-BIOLAC congratulates all participants for their enthusiasm, commitment, and active engagement throughout the workshop. We are particularly pleased that this activity is not an endpoint but rather the beginning of an ongoing relationship with DNDi and the Open Chagas community, offering participants opportunities for ongoing mentorship, collaboration, and integration into broader research networks dedicated to combating Chagas disease.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Luiza Cruz for her outstanding coordination and leadership in organizing this workshop. We also thank all the lecturers, mentors, collaborators, and the hosting institutions, particularly the University of São Paulo (USP) and the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), whose expertise, facilities, and dedication made this unique capacity-building experience possible. Through partnerships such as this, we strengthen the region's capacity to translate scientific knowledge into tangible health solutions that advance sustainable development and improve quality of life across Latin America and the Caribbean.
