Scientists in Liverpool are spearheading a groundbreaking clinical trial aimed at tackling visceral leishmaniasis, a tropical parasitic disease responsible for thousands of deaths annually. The disease, which is transmitted through the bite of infected sand flies, predominantly affects regions in Asia, East Africa, and Brazil. It causes symptoms such as fever and fatigue, and without treatment, it is almost invariably fatal.
Currently available treatments for visceral leishmaniasis require painful daily injections over a 17-day period. These therapies are also difficult to store and transport because they need to be kept cool—factors which severely limit their accessibility, especially in low-income areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The new Liverpool-based study, conducted at the NIHR Liverpool Clinical Research Facility at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, is testing an oral medication known as DNDi-6899. This drug, developed in collaboration with the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG), the University of Liverpool, and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), is designed to be easier to store, transport, and administer. If successful, it could represent a major advancement in the fight against this neglected disease and potentially save thousands of lives.
Professor Richard Fitzgerald, the principal study investigator, highlighted the importance of this research. Speaking to the Express, he said: "Visceral leishmaniasis claims thousands of lives every year. Current treatments are often inaccessible to those who need them most, particularly in low-income regions where healthcare systems are limited. This trial offers hope for a more practical and effective solution, one that could reach those most at risk and save countless lives. It also reflects the skills and expertise here in Liverpool, showing that we are at the forefront of developing new medicines for a disease that affects people on the other side of the world."
The two-week clinical trial is currently recruiting volunteers from Liverpool and its surrounding areas, with several participants already having completed a screening process. The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and is part of the broader efforts taking place at the University of Liverpool’s Centre for Experimental Therapeutics (TherEx). This centre focuses on improving health outcomes by optimising existing medicines and developing novel treatments.
Professor Saye Khoo, a fellow researcher involved in the study, explained the practical benefits they aim to achieve through this collaboration with DNDi. Speaking to the Express, he said: "By collaborating with DNDi, we aim to develop a treatment that can be stored in varying conditions, delivered directly to vulnerable communities, and administered easily—without the need for hospitalisation."
This trial represents a significant step toward overcoming the logistical challenges associated with current treatments for visceral leishmaniasis and could ultimately improve access to care for affected populations across multiple continents.
Source: Noah Wire Services