Schistosomiasis Translation Platform

A major activity of the Schistosomiasis Translational Platform is the development and deployment of the Schisto-Box, a curated collection of approximately 100 compounds assembled from both published and proprietary schistosomiasis drug discovery efforts. The collection captures broad chemical and biological diversity and includes compounds with varying levels of activity, providing a unique resource to better understand the determinants of anti-schistosomal efficacy.

In collaboration with partners across the global schistosomiasis research community, the Schisto-Box is being evaluated through complementary in vitro and in vivo assays covering different parasite species, developmental stages, and sexes. By generating standardized datasets across multiple experimental systems, the initiative seeks to identify which screening approaches and efficacy endpoints are most predictive of in vivo activity and candidate progression.

Selected compounds will also undergo pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) investigations to better understand exposure-response relationships and the factors driving efficacy. By integrating biological and translational data, the Schisto-Box aims to establish an evidence-based framework for compound prioritization and progression, ultimately accelerating the discovery and development of new treatments for schistosomiasis.