Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium starts pivotal Phase III study in Kenya

The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium starts pivotal Phase III study for a pediatric praziquantel formulation, for under 6 year olds, in Kenya.

“As a leading company in the fight against schistosomiasis, Merck wants to impactfully contribute to the control and elimination of the disease through sustainable innovation development,” said Petra Wicklandt, Head of Corporate Affairs at Merck. “The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium program has made remarkable progress. The start of the Phase III trial, which I witnessed by visiting the clinical site in Homa Bay in Kenya, is just one example of recent achievements.”

“The availability of a pediatric medication is essential to address the medical need of infected preschool-age children. Our investment today will secure our future generation,” said Dr. Maurice Odiere, Principal Investigator for the pediatric formulation Phase III trial and Principal Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).

The consortium partners are Lygature (The Netherlands), Merck KGaA (Germany), Astellas Pharma Inc. (Japan), Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute (Switzerland), Farmanguinhos (Brazil), Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (UK), the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kenya), and the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Cote D'Ivoire).

Read about the Phase III study in Africa.com

Read about Merck KGaA schistosomiasis research and development investments here.