What's Next?

To select the best drug candidates, the team at the Institute for OneWorld Health considers the following criteria:

Chemical stability: A compound must remain stable (inside its solution, cream or tablet) given the tropical conditions that it will likely encounter in the locations that it is needed.

Ease/cost of synthesis: The compound must show a beneficial dose-to-cost ratio for its synthesis and final product manufacture.

Toxicity profile: The compound must demonstrate minimal toxicity, or significantly lower toxicity when compared to the standard or current therapy.

Efficacy: The compound must demonstrate improved anti-parasitic activity when compared to the currently available therapy.

Affordability: The compound must be affordable to those who need it, either directly or through government subsidy.

Clinical need and global impact: The compound must meet a significant clinical need in at least one area of the developing world, and must benefit those who currently do not have access to safe and effective therapy.

Ethics: The compound must have been studied using globally sanctioned and approved ethical standards of research, which ensure the protection of human research subjects.

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