Finding new drugs to treat schistosomiasis

Drug Target Discovery, Validation, and Prioritization for Schistosomiasis

NIH-funded research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10986999

This study is looking for new ways to treat schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms, by finding important proteins in the worms that could be targeted with better medications, which means patients could have more effective treatment options in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUt Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Dallas, United States)
Project IDNIH-10986999 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on discovering and validating new drug targets for schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms that affects millions of people worldwide. The team is using advanced techniques, including RNA interference, to identify essential proteins in the adult schistosome that could be targeted by new medications. By overcoming the limitations of current treatments, the research aims to develop more effective therapies that can combat drug-resistant strains of the parasite. Patients may benefit from improved treatment options that are more effective against various stages of the parasite's life cycle.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in endemic areas who are at risk of schistosomiasis infection.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk of schistosomiasis or those who have already been effectively treated with existing therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and more effective treatments for schistosomiasis, improving health outcomes for affected individuals.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing new treatments for parasitic infections, indicating that innovative approaches like this may lead to significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

Dallas, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.