KNUST and DNDi Launch Schistosomiasis Drug Partnership
The partnership will screen around 100 molecules against a parasitic worm species prevalent in Africa.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Diseases — General
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The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 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 research is supported by funding from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
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 mainly kills adult worms and is only partially effective against female genital schistosomiasis, underscoring the need for new cures.
The partnership will screen around 100 molecules against a Schistosoma species, while schistosomiasis affects more than 250 million people globally, with an estimated 56 million women and girls affected by its female genital form. Whether any screened molecules will yield a viable treatment has not yet been determined.
The players
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
KNUST is a public university in Kumasi, Ghana, known for its research in parasitic diseases and clinical science.
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)
DNDi is a non-profit drug development organization that works to discover and deliver treatments for neglected tropical diseases.
The details
KNUST and DNDi will combine KNUST's expertise in parasitic diseases and clinical research with DNDi's experience in discovering and optimizing new molecules. Two KNUST researchers will travel to the University of Bonn in Germany for hands-on training in laboratory screening cascade methods.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: KNUST and DNDi launched the schistosomiasis drug discovery partnership.
Health Landscape
This partnership is DNDi's first drug discovery collaboration on the African continent, extending its neglected-disease model to the region where schistosomiasis is most prevalent. It addresses a gap in care, since praziquantel, the main treatment, has limited effectiveness against juvenile worms and is only partially effective against female genital schistosomiasis.
Current treatment praziquantel mainly kills adult worms and is less effective against juvenile worms, so people relying on it may still face infection risk. Research aimed at new safe and effective treatments could eventually change how schistosomiasis is managed for those affected.
The takeaway
Schistosomiasis infects people through contact with freshwater, so avoiding unsafe water remains a practical precaution. The partnership signals that new treatments are being pursued to address a condition that is not yet declining.
Further reading
For more background on the conditions this research targets, explore Diseases — General coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ghana News Agency.
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