The three key challenges that will shape the future of antiparasitic treatment

Despite significant advances over the last 50 years in prevention and treatment, parasites remain a major threat to the health of both animals and humans, and there is a clear need in the market to discover new drugs and approaches to control them safely, effectively and conveniently. As cat and dog owners, livestock farmers, and vets all know, parasites like fleas, ticks or worms are not only highly unpleasant, they also cause or transmit harmful diseases.

In a review article recently published in the highly recognized Cell Press journal Trends in Parasitology, the researchers Prof. Dr. Paul M. Selzer, Head of Molecular Discovery at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, and Prof. Dr. Christian Epe, Head of Parasitology Research at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, outline major drivers that will shape the future innovation in the field, including

• resistance,
• convenience and
• the environment.

#1 – Need for new active molecules

An increasing number of parasites are resistant to currently available antiparasitic drugs. In cats and dogs, the situation is less critical. In livestock, however, it has become an increasing concern, especially in the case of anthelmintics that are drugs used to kill worm-like parasites. Unfortunately, for most of the marketed anthelmintics, resistance has become widespread, particularly in ruminants.

“The resistance to one drug may cause resistance to other members of the same compound class,” says Prof. Epe. “This is why new chemical classes are needed.”

Most of the currently used antiparasitic drugs were developed more than 20 years ago, with only a few exceptions introduced in recent years. One of those are the isoxazolines, a groundbreaking new class of ectoparasiticides that effectively kill parasites living on the host such as ticks and fleas. They include afoxolaner, the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of Boehringer Ingelheim’s NexGard® that was introduced first into the market in 2014.

Still, innovation is needed to reduce the threat parasites pose to companion animals and livestock farming. “The discovery and development of new APIs is a major goal in any antiparasitic program on the market,” shares Prof. Selzer.

#2 – Demand for convenient and technically advanced treatments

Products with enhanced convenience, such as longer periods of efficacy or a chewable oral formulation, are highly desirable to customers. Antiparasitics that can be given orally as treats allow owners to interact with their animals. Drugs that provide longer protection reduce the burden of treatment for pet and livestock owners. It becomes even more convenient when products are combined: “The logical combination of a monthly heartworm preventive with a monthly tick and flea product can provide a convenient solution for endo- and ectoparasite control in dogs in one application,” explains Prof. Epe.

Prof. Selzer believes that future innovation is anticipated not only in the way treatment is administered, but also in the prevention of diseases. Promising vaccines against parasite infestations are a future possibility. “Safe and efficacious vaccines against parasitic diseases have the potential to impact the established antiparasitic market. With the rise of deep data analyses, the next generation of parasiticides and hopefully vaccines will be based on a profound understanding of the host-parasite interaction.”

#3 – Need for eco-friendly animal products

In the face of climate change and the growing demand for high quality animal products, societies all over the world are calling for increased sustainability in agriculture and animal production. “Meeting the challenge of developing eco-friendly or ‘green’ products that reduce or eliminate parasite burdens – without compromising on safety, efficacy, and cost efficiency – would certainly open new avenues for the animal health industry,” says Prof. Selzer. While there is currently no clear-cut strategic answer to these demands, animal health is not alone – the agricultural/crop sciences area faces similar challenges. “The animal health industry may benefit from future collaborative approaches between these industries to provide innovative solutions to meet the new expectations,” adds Prof. Epe.

Cooperations between industries and research areas, such as Boehringer Ingelheim's partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, combine different competencies to work towards one goal: making a positive difference in animals’ and humans’ lives by providing naturally derived and environmentally sustainable parasiticides.

How to meet the challenges

“Given recent advances in science and technology, the time is right to invest in new modalities such as vaccines against parasitic diseases, or in environmentally friendly interventions,” says Prof. Selzer. Drug discovery in parasitology continues to evolve using different approaches. Prof. Epe points out that it is their outcome that matters: “Today, we understand that a single strategy will not meet the need for new APIs. Instead, it is the combination of multiple approaches that will most likely be the key to success.”  

Boehringer Ingelheim is currently the leader in the antiparasitic segment and is well-positioned to take on these challenges based on its industry leading investments in innovation, strong market understanding and presence in more than 150 markets across the globe. However, no single company can meet these challenges and partnerships will be essential to unlock the potential in antiparasitic treatment.

¹Internal data on file

Footnotes

What are parasites?

Parasites are living organisms (i.e. belonging to animal reign) that get their food from or at the expense of a host. They are classified as endo- or ectoparasites depending on whether they live in or on the host. Ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitoes, or flies live or take blood meals on the host and are not usually life threatening; however, they can transmit pathogen agents (virus, bacteria, other parasites) and act as vector of major diseases. They also can induce anemia, reduce the host’s food intake, produce toxins, and/or cause traumatic skin damages. Endoparasites, such as parasitic worms and protozoans, live in the host and can cause serious diseases and various clinical signs like appetite and weight loss, depression, anemia, colic, and other subclinical conditions.

What are antiparasitics?

Antiparasitics are medications indicated for the treatment of parasitic diseases.

In the animal health market, most of the antiparasitic active pharmaceutical ingredients were developed over 20 years ago. Isoxazolines, active against arthropod ectoparasites, which first entered the market in 2014, are one of the very rare exceptions and a true success story because of their effectiveness.              

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