A novel series of heterocyclic compounds for visceral leishmaniasis was optimized by Celgene in collaboration with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Advinus, and with advice from DNDi. In 2016, an in vivo proof-of-concept was achieved for this series.
In 2018, because of poor pharmacokinetics and a lack of safety margins following extensive exploration, the decision was made to stop this series. A new screen has begun with a new sub-set of the Celgene library of compounds with the goal to identify novel lead series.