Anthelmintic discovery and development in the animal health industry

Most modern anthelmintics used against human pathogens have come from the animal health (AH) industry. Historically, new molecules were discovered empirically, but recent developments in genomic and screening technologies have significantly enhanced the opportunities for target-based identification of novel therapies. However, drug discovery and development is still a complicated and costly process with high attrition. Absence of a return in investment for tropical parasitic diseases makes it difficult for large pharmaceutical companies to justify seeking antiparasitics for less developed countries in isolation. A partnership in which there is a sharing of costs and leveraging of resources is one way forward and is reflected in the new paradigm of 'integrated drug discovery', where collaborations and networks of academic institutions and industry are working together towards the discovery of new treatments for tropical parasitic diseases.