New treatments to eliminate river blindness

Innovative therapeutic strategies to support elimination of river blindness

['FUNDING_R01'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-10927441

This study is working on new ways to treat river blindness, a disease caused by a parasite, to help people get better and reduce how many people are affected by it.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorWASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10927441 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing innovative therapeutic strategies to eliminate river blindness, a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Onchocerca volvulus. The approach includes identifying new drugs and treatment regimens that can effectively target the parasite at various stages of its life cycle. Current treatments like ivermectin and moxidectin have shown limited success, so this research aims to enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies and introduce new options. Patients may benefit from improved treatment outcomes and a potential reduction in the prevalence of this debilitating disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 5 years and older living in endemic areas affected by river blindness.

Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in endemic regions or are younger than 5 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for river blindness, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing new treatments for river blindness, but this approach aims to build on those findings with novel strategies.

Where this research is happening

SAINT LOUIS, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.