L-PZQ ODT in Schistosoma Infected Children

An Open Label, Phase III Efficacy and Safety Study of L-PZQ ODT in Schistosoma Infected Children 3 Months to 6 Years of Age, Including a 2:1 Randomized, Controlled Cohort of Schistosoma Mansoni Infected Children 4 to 6 Years of Age Treated With L PZQ ODT or Commercial PZQ (Biltricide®)

The study would evaluate the safety and efficacy of L-praziquantel orodispersible (L-PZQ ODT) tablets in Schistosoma infected children aged 3 months to 6 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of the participant is 4 to 6 years of age (Cohorts 1 and 4), 2 to 3 years of age (Cohorts 2 and 4) 3 to less than 24 months of age (Cohorts 3 and 4)

• Participants are; Schistosoma (S.) mansoni positive (Cohorts 1, 2, and 3); diagnosis defined as positive egg counts in stool greater than or equal to ( >=) 1 egg per 1 occasion) according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification [1]: light (1 to 99 eggs per gram of feces), moderate (100 to 399 eggs per gram of feces) and heavy (>= 400 eggs per gram of feces) infections; S. haematobium positive (Cohort 4); diagnosis defined as positive egg counts in urine (>= 1 egg per 10 milliliter(mL) urine) according to WHO classification (Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis. WHO Technical Report Series No. 912. WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 2002).light (less than (<) 50 eggs per 10 mL of urine) and heavy (>=50 eggs per 10 mL of urine) infections

• Participants have a minimum body weight of 8.0 Kilograms (Kg) in 2 to 6 years of age children and 5.0 Kg in 3 months to < 24 months of age infants and toddlers

• Parent's or guardian/legally authorized representative's ability to communicate well with the Investigator and his/her delegate, to understand the protocol requirements and restrictions, and to be willing to have their children comply with the requirements of the entire study, that is:

  • To be examined by a study physician at screening and 17 to 21 days after treatment
  • To provide stool samples at screening and 17 to 21 days after treatment
  • To provide urine samples at screening and 17 to 21 days after treatment
  • To provide venous blood samples for laboratory assessments
  • To be housed in the clinic for 12 to 24 hours
  • To provide venous blood samples for pharmacokinetics (PK) assessments (for participants in the PK subset)

• Participants have a minimum hemoglobin level of 10 gram per deciliter

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with following medical conditions are excluded from the study; Findings in the clinical examination and/or laboratory safety examination on the treatment day, that in the opinion of the Investigator constitute a risk or a contraindication for the child's participation in the study or that could interfere with the study objectives, conduct or evaluation. This includes but is not restricted to bacterial or viral infections, such as dysentery, gastroenteritis, ascites, jaundice, etc.; Participants with seizures and/or medical history of seizures and/or other signs of potential central nervous system involvement; Participants with known cysticercosis, or with signs or symptoms (for example: subcutaneous nodules) suggestive of cysticercosis; Participants with an acute infection or other acute illness within the 7 days prior to study screening; Debilitating illness such as tuberculosis, malnutrition, etc.
• Treatment with PZQ within the 4 weeks prior to the study screening
• Concomitant treatment (within 2 weeks prior to enrollment) with medication that might affect the metabolism of PZQ, such as certain anti epileptics (for example: carbamazepine or phenytoin), glucocorticosteroids (for example: dexamethasone), chloroquine, rifampicin or cimetidine (see Biltricide® Summary of Product Characteristics [SmPC])
• Treatment within the 2 weeks prior to the study screening with anti malarial medications
• For infants and toddlers being breast fed, treatment of the mothers/wet nurses with PZQ in the 3 days prior to PZQ ODT administration
• Participation in any clinical study within 4 weeks prior to administration of PZQ ODT, or anticipated at any time until completion of the End of study visit
• Participants with marked increases of the liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase and/or aspartate aminotransferase above 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN); total bilirubin level above 1.5 times the ULN
• Participants with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis
• Fever, defined as temperature above 37.5 degree Celsius axillary or oral mixed S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections