The HELP project has so far performed the following work:
Industrial partners Celgene and Bayer Animal Health / Elanco have provided pre-selected compounds to the academic partners (Swiss TPH, UKB, MNHN and UOB). The compounds were tested for their activity on different worm species in the laboratories of the academic partners. A total of 23 promising candidates were identified and subsequently tested for their activity against infection with filariae and STH in animal models (mice, hamsters, jirds). Of all the compounds tested, at least five would be suitable for further development in standard pre-clinical development packages.
Swiss TPH together with the partners DNDi and IHI have prepared a Phase 1 clinical trial for Oxfendazole (testing in healthy, adult volunteers). After obtaining ethical approvals from the Tanzanian and Swiss authorities the trial recruitment successfully has been finalized.
After completing a data review for oxantel pamoate and obtaining regulatory advice by Swissmedic in the first period of the project, a clinical trial with oxantel pamoate is currently being prepared by Swiss TPH, DNDi and IHI. Additionally, the oxantel pamoate tablets to be used in the clinical trial were developed by DNDi, since the product is not available as a tablet on the market. We expect the final product to be synthesized in early 2023.
In addition, many activities for the dissemination of HELP-related activities have been performed under the lead of DNDi by all partners. Of note, the content of the HELP-website has been expanded and continuous social media posting on current issues was very active.
