Soil-transmitted helminthiasis - challenges with discovery of novel anthelmintics

Soil‐transmitted helminths (STHs) are responsible for many millions of disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) in the developing world; however, there is no research focused directly on development of new therapies, due to the high costs of research and development. Historically, anthelmintics for human helminthiases have been leveraged from the animal health industry, where the impact of helminth infections on production in ruminants, plus the health and zoonotic concerns for companion animals has driven significant sales. It is therefore highly probable that the next generation of anthelmintics for control of STHs will be leveraged from research in the animal health industry. A review of the state of the art in anthelmintic patents over the past 10 years highlights that there has been some progress in identifying and optimizing novel anthelmintic classes for management of emerging resistance in ruminants and companion animals. Although investment is low when compared to human health research and development, the animal health industry has been successful in optimizing lead series from pesticide research to animal health, and this is evident with some of the recent patents. Increased collaborative public–private partnerships will be required to help translate these discoveries into therapies for STHs.