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Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium convenes in Utrecht for final meeting
Partners and funders of the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium gathered in Utrecht in February for the final consortium meeting, marking an important milestone in more than a decade of collaboration.
Bringing together representatives from industry, academia, global health organisations, and ministries of health, the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the Consortium’s journey to develop, register, and provide access to a child-friendly treatment for schistosomiasis.
Over three days, discussions focused on the full continuum from product development to implementation. Sessions highlighted the importance of early alignment between clinical development and access planning, the value of adaptive problem-solving in complex multi-country trials, and the critical role of strong partnerships across sectors.
Country representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Uganda shared insights from implementation and social science studies, while additional perspectives from Senegal and Tanzania illustrated how the new formulation can be integrated into national programmes in practice. Across discussions, a common message emerged: successful introduction depends on strong engagement with ministries of health, adaptable guidance, and context-specific approaches.
The meeting also provided a moment to reflect on the Consortium’s broader ambition — going beyond product development to ensure real-world impact. The three days closed with a strong sense of achievement and shared pride in translating years of collaboration into lasting impact for children and communities.
We thank all partners, participants, and our meeting hosts, Lygature, for their valuable contributions.