30th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Parasitology

Prof.

Research on a child-friendly treatment against schistosomiasis, the long and winding road to develop an oral formulation of praziquantel

Abstract text The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium program (led by Merck) aims to close the treatment gap for preschool-aged children with schistosomiasis. Also known as bilharzia, schistosomiasis is a worm infection which affects almost 240 million people, living mainly in poor resource-setting countries in Africa and in a few countries in South America and Asia. Since 1980, there have been tablets with the active ingredient praziquantel, which kills the adult worm. However, the disease itself can only be eliminated if the transmission cycle gets interrupted which requires treatment of all age groups. With significant international efforts and a tablet donation programme using Merck's praziquantel worth millions, the disease prevalence in many countries has been significantly reduced, but not yet eliminated. The potential new pediatric treatment option for young children (as of the age of 6 and under) is an important milestone on the way of elimination as the target population counts an estimated 50 million preschool-aged children in need. The regulatory dossier is undergoing EMA review.

One Health/NTD/Zoonoses

DNTDs Lunch Seminar
Research on a child-friendly treatment against schistosomiasis – the long and winding road to develop an oral formulation of praziquantel

Appointment

Chair

Programme

DNTDs Lunch SeminarResearch on a child-friendly treatment against schistosomiasis – the long and winding road to develop an oral formulation of praziquantel

Appointment

Chair

Programme

DNTDs Lunch Seminar
Research on a child-friendly treatment against schistosomiasis – the long and winding road to develop an oral formulation of praziquantel