Mycetoma Translational platform 

The Mycetoma Translational Platform aims to establish a suitable pathway to evaluate and advance new mycetoma drug candidates towards clinical development. DNDi and its partners at Erasmus Medical Centre and the University of Antwerp initiated the development of an in vivo model in early 2026. The model uses luminescent detection to mimic human disease and enable monitoring of drug efficacy at the pre-clinical stage. Such an assay system is currently unavailable and has been identified as a key translational gap in eumycetoma research and development.

Building on this first initiative, a large-scale fundamental research project will start in early 2027. A large biobank of pre-clinical and clinical mycetoma samples will be established and analysed using various techniques to investigate the fungus and the human immune response. Led by the Erasmus Medical Centre, the UNRAVELMy* consortium will bring together research institutions from Sudan, Senegal, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom to identify biological markers that will help improve diagnosis, monitor treatment response, and identify new targets for mycetoma drug development.

*‘Unravelling host–pathogen pathways in mycetoma: the route towards novel diagnostic tools and therapies for controlling mycetoma globally’

More information

• Novo Nordisk Foundation Press Release
• DNDI announcement