Bioactives

Drug discovery for tropical diseases is one of the research foci of the Swiss TPH. We have developed a wide range of in vitro assays and in vivo models to identify novel chemical hits and to guide hit-to-lead development. Our credo is to always test against the relevant pathogen species and stage, rather than using surrogate models. The success of this approach is illustrated by the fact that several of the therapies that are currently undergoing clinical testing have been developed with the help of our drug discovery platform. Breakthroughs that were achieved in collaboration with the Swiss TPH include novel treatments for Buruli ulcer, human African trypanosomiasis, malaria and soil-transmitted helminths.