
Novartis-led group develops new class of antiparasitic drug targeting diseases caused by trypanosomes
Trypanosomes look like microscopic one-celled eels, but instead of water, some of the parasites swim in blood and others dive in and out of cells.
The deadly group of parasites are responsible for three major diseases — human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness; South American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease; and leishmaniasis — that put millions of people and livestock at risk of infection and sometimes death. These diseases historically have seen limited investment from major drug developers as they predominantly impact people in less wealthy countries.
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