New Partnership Hunts Better Schistosomiasis Drugs
Researchers in Ghana and Germany are screening around 100 molecules against a parasite that affects over 250 million people.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Diseases — General
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The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative have launched a drug discovery partnership to screen around 100 molecules against a Schistosoma species prevalent in Africa. The effort, supported by funding from Germany's Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, is aimed at people in sub-Saharan Africa living with schistosomiasis.
Why it matters
Schistosomiasis is the second most widespread parasitic disease in the world after malaria, and the number of people affected is not declining. Current treatment praziquantel is only partially effective against adult worms in the female genital form, so new treatments are needed for the populations most at risk.
This is an early-stage drug discovery partnership, with screening of around 100 molecules yet to produce reported results. The figures cited describe the scale of the disease burden rather than the outcome of any trial.
The players
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
A Ghanaian university whose research centre in Kumasi works on parasitic diseases and clinical research.
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)
A non-profit drug discovery initiative focused on developing treatments for neglected diseases, including schistosomiasis.
German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space
The German government ministry that is funding this research collaboration.
The details
Schistosomiasis is spread when people contact freshwater, where larvae of the parasitic worm penetrate the skin and develop into adult worms in the body. The partnership combines KNUST's expertise in parasitic diseases and clinical research with DNDi's experience in discovering and optimizing new molecules. Two KNUST researchers will train at the University of Bonn in Germany on laboratory screening cascade methods, and the combined results are expected to help refine a standard screening process.
Timeline
• November 5, 2026: KNUST and DNDi launched the schistosomiasis drug discovery partnership.
• Two KNUST researchers will travel to the University of Bonn for hands-on screening training (date not specified).
Health Landscape
Schistosomiasis remains the second most common parasitic disease worldwide after malaria, with praziquantel as the main treatment despite its partial effectiveness against juvenile worms and female genital disease. This partnership adds a new African research base to the search for alternatives.
If you live in or travel to areas where schistosomiasis is common, ask your doctor about testing and prevention, especially if you have had contact with freshwater. Progress from this early research will take years, so current prevention and treatment options remain the practical concern.
The takeaway
Schistosomiasis affects over 250 million people, and new treatments are still needed because current drugs do not fully cure all forms. If you have had contact with freshwater in an affected region, bring it up with your physician and ask about testing.
Further reading
For more background on the wider health context, browse our Diseases — General coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ghana News Agency.
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