STOP (Stopping Transmission Of intestinal Parasites) is an EDCTP-funded project that unites five European and three sub-Saharan institutions with one aim: to find a more effective treatment against all species of intestinal worms, also called soil-transmitted helminths (STH).

We propose to add ivermectin to the current recommended treatment (albendazole monotherapy), and combine both drugs in a single tablet, suitable for all age groups (known as a fixed dose co-formulation).

The safety and efficacy of this new combination will be tested against the existing recommended treatment in a clinical trial with 1,250 school children from Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique. If successful, this new combination would represent an important tool for programmes aimed at interrupting transmission, whilst also preventing the emergence of anthelmintic drug resistance.