Dafra Pharma has recently conducted a proof of pilot study suggesting that artesunate- sulfamethoxypyrazin-pyrimethamine (AS-SMP) and artemether-lumefantrine (AT-LU) can cure schistosomial (S. mansoni) infection in children (Adam et al. 2008).

In a follow-up experiment, a double blind study comparing the cure-rate of AS-SMP with the standard treatment Praziquantel was performed, and showed an egg reduction rate of 92.8% compared to 95.6% for the standard.

We believe that our results are worth further investigations and additional clinical studies are planned in which dosing and treatment schedules will be optimized both against S. mansoni and in S. haematobium. These studies will be conducted in various countries including Sudan and Kenya.