New Drugs against Parasitic Worm Diseases

A major disease burden globally comes from parasitic worm infections, particularly in poor and deprived communities in tropical and subtropical countries. 1.5 billion people are affected by parasitic worm infections. Soil-transmitted helminths are worm infections which are transmitted by eggs in human faeces which contaminate the soil in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. The infections can lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain, malnutrition, and impaired growth and physical development.

Parasitic worm infections are largely neglected, meaning that only limited funding is available for Research & Development. To speed up the development of new treatments and establish a much needed drug pipeline, Swiss TPH works with public and private partners. One example is the Helminth Elimination Platform (HELP), which we set up together with academic partners, not-for-profit organisations and pharmaceutical companies. HELP aims to develop effective, safe and affordable treatments for soil-transmitted helminth infections as well as river blindness.

With your support, we can develop new treatments against parasitic worm infections and help improve the lives of millions of people.