Developing new drugs to treat schistosomiasis
Official title: Preclinical Testing of Potential Next-generation Antischistosomal Compounds
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11131505 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new medicines to help treat schistosomiasis, a disease that affects millions of people, by developing a second drug that can work together with the current treatment to make it more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $810,158 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI180213-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131505 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from schistosomiasis, particularly those in regions where the disease is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have schistosomiasis or live in areas where the disease is not endemic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding new treatments for schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms affecting over 200 million people worldwide. Currently, the only available treatment is a single drug called Praziquantel, which has shown signs of resistance. The researchers aim to create a second drug that works differently and can be used alongside Praziquantel to enhance treatment effectiveness. They will design and test various drug compounds in the lab to identify the most effective options against the parasites responsible for the disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for schistosomiasis, improving health outcomes for millions of affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing new antihelminthic drugs, but this specific approach to reengineer existing compounds is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loverde, Philip T — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Loverde, Philip T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.