Human Parasitic Nematodes
Nematodes are major human parasites, infecting nearly three billion people worldwide, mainly in developing countries. Diseases caused by nematodes include:

• Hookworm infection, a major cause of anemia and stunted growth in children in tropical countries;
• Ascariasis, a gut roundworm infection, which affects more than one billion people and results in decreased quality of life
• Filariasis or elephantiasis, an infection of the lymphatic system resulting in grossly swollen and scarred extremities.

Disease control relies on antiparasitic drugs (anthelmintics), vector control (of the mosquitoes and flies that transmit some worms), and sanitation improvements. No vaccines are available for these diseases.

A major need in anthelmintic pharmaceuticals for humans is the development of a compound that is effective for the adult stage of filarial infections including lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and river blindness, a so-called macrofilaricide. Efforts underway to control or eliminate these diseases could be greatly accelerated by the availability of such a compound. Application of Divergence's technology to global health such as macrofilaricide development will likely require partnerships with non-profit and government organizations, interactions that could be synergistic with for-profit development of products for agricultural and veterinary applications.

Related Links
Human Parasitic Nematodes
What is a Nematode?