Merck Strengthens Research Initiatives for Fighting Schistosomiasis

Publisher: The Insight Partners

Merck, which is one of the leading science & Technology Corporation, in recent times within its integrated Schistosomiasis Elimination Program has announced, that they have been intensifying their efforts towards R&D for the development as well as offering the access to transformative & sustainable health solutions for fighting schistosomiasis. As per one of the leading projects, the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium program introduced the Phase III clinical trial in Kenya meant for a new invention of praziquantel for treating schistosomiasis within the pre-schools. .Also, trial for this will be piloted within Ivory Coast.

“As a leading company in the fight against schistosomiasis, Merck wants to impactfully contribute to the control and elimination of the disease through sustainable innovation development,” voices Head of Corporate Affairs at Merck, Petra Wicklandt. “The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium program has made remarkable progress. The start of the Phase III trial, which I witnessed by visiting the clinical site in Homa Bay in Kenya, is just one example of recent achievements.”

“The availability of a pediatric medication is essential to address the medical need of infected preschool-age children. Our investment today will secure our future generation,” believes Dr. Maurice Odiere, Principal Investigator for the pediatric formulation Phase III trial and Principal Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

By the means of its Global Health Institute, the company has created an assortment of innovative as well as collaborative projects for newfangled or else adapted treatments, complex schistosomiasis diagnostics, technologies for controlling transmission plus educational methodologies towards strengthening healthcare systems within the countries with low & middle income.

Along with the partners, Merck is carrying out drug innovation activities for novel treatments. Encouraging assets from Salvensis as well as the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine have recently acquired methods for identifying probable new candidates to prevent and cure patients affected by schistosomiasis. In addition, Merck has been working together with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) towards developing a Rapid Diagnostic Test as newfangled sensitive diagnostic for improving planning followed by case detection for schistosomiasis. Also, Merck is investing within innovative technologies for vector control & fresh water towards control transmission. In recent times broadcasted Eisai / Merck partnership addresses this topic.

Merck complements such R&D activities with its annual donation of nearly 250 million praziquantel tablets, the standard-of-care treatment, to WHO. The unkempt tropical disease schistosomiasis distresses approx. 240 million persons across the world, mostly within the communities deprived of the access for safe drinking water along with the poor sanitation that outcomes in a projected number of demises of around 200,000 every single year.