DNDi and our partners are working to develop missing cures for disabling and stigmatizing parasitic worm diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. We are joining forces to develop new treatments that can cure river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, and schistosomiasis before they cause lasting harm – and working to make sure new treatments are suitable for all people who need them, including young children and pregnant women.
Our progress in 2025 includes:
Translational research
Emodepside (river blindness): Final analysis of part 1 of the Phase II trial confirmed a favourable safety profile and efficacy against both juvenile and adult O. volvulus worms, meeting the criteria to proceed to part 2 of the Phase II trial. Part 2 aims to investigate the efficacy of selected doses, and related safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. Preparatory work is underway to initiate recruitment in the third quarter of 2026.
Oxfendazole for river blindness: DNDi continued work with partners conducting several Phase II trials investigating the safety and efficacy of oxfendazole against multiple helminth infections. Recruitment of participants within the eWHORM partnership basket trial started at clinical sites for onchocerciasis and loaisis, and is already completed for trichuriasis in Tanzania. A Phase II clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of oxfendazole against lymphatic filariasis started in India in partnership with the Indian Council for Medical Research. Together with partners, DNDi is also supporting a Phase IIa dose-escalation trial evaluating oxfendazole for the treatment of loiasis at the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) in Gabon. Work to develop a new, commercializable tablet formulation of oxfendazole is ongoing.
Oxfendazole for lymphatic filariasis: In 2025, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) initiated a Phase IIa proof-of-concept trial testing the safety and efficacy of oxfendazole as a treatment for lymphatic filariasis. DNDi is supporting the clinical trial by providing the investigational medical product (IMP), technical support, and co-monitoring.
DNDI-6166 (CC6166) (river blindness): The project was placed on hold as additional funding is sought to continue the pre-clinical development of DNDI-6166.
Translational platform for schistosomiasis: We are working with partners to evaluate the translational aspects of potential new treatments for schistosomiasis with a focus on establishing a schistosomiasis ‘compound box’ to be made available to researchers for testing. The platform is assessing a well-characterized compound library assembled by Merck through a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. Subsequent pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analyses will provide insights into pre-clinical and clinical translation and help identify drivers of efficacy.
Clinical Trials
Paediatric ivermectin (river blindness and lymphatic filariasis): In 2025, DNDi joined IVM-KIDS, a consortium led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to generate critical data to determine ivermectin dosing for children below 15kg and evaluate a novel oral dispersible formulation of the drug to bridge critical treatment gaps for NTDs affecting children in endemic countries.
Praziquantel/anti-inflammatory (female genital schistosomiasis): Through the (W)initiative for Women and Girls affected by Female Genital Schistosomiasis (WINGS-4-FGS) consortium, DNDi and partners aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of anti-inflammatory medication as add-on therapy to treatment with praziquantel in women and girls living with FGS. Currently, there are no therapeutics to halt or reduce the inflammatory reaction to the parasite, resulting in chronic granuloma and fibrosis. Partners are preparing the WINGS-4-FGS randomized clinical trial, which aims to bridge this gap by repurposing already available anti-inflammatory drugs and combining them with praziquantel in a pioneering approach to managing morbidity associated with FGS.
Photo credit: JDot-DNDi
