About Arpraziquantel The current standard of care treatment for schistosomiasis is praziquantel. The drug is safe, effective, and suitable for school-aged children and adults. However, an appropriate drug for preschool-aged children has to date been elusive. Arpraziquantel aims to close this treatment gap. It contains the pharmacologically active enantiomer of praziquantel. The new tablet is small, orally dispersible ? it dissolves in the mouth or in water ?, has taste properties that are acceptable for children, and withstands the challenges presented by a tropical climate. It was developed by Astellas in Japan, subsequently optimized by Merck in Germany and transferred for clinical manufacturing to Farmanguinhos in Brazil. About Schistosomiasis Schistosomiasis is a chronic condition and one of the most common and most devastating parasitic diseases in tropical countries. It is estimated that more than 240 million people are infected worldwide and that around 200,000 die from it each year. Flatworms transmit the disease. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions where large sections of the population have no access to clean water and sanitary installations. People become infected with the parasite via contact with freshwater, for example while working, swimming, fishing or washing their clothes. The minuscule larvae penetrate human skin, enter the blood vessels and attack internal organs. The infection rate is particularly high among children. About the Merck Schistosomiasis Elimination Program Merck initiated the Merck Schistosomiasis Elimination Program in cooperation with WHO back in 2007. Since then, more than 1.3 billion tablets have been donated, enabling the treatment of 520 million school-aged children. Merck has committed itself to maintaining its efforts in the fight against the tropical disease until schistosomiasis is eliminated as a public health burden. To this end, each year Merck is donating up to 250 million tablets to WHO. The planned annual donation has a value of USD 32.5 million. In addition, Merck has adopted an integrated schistosomiasis strategy that is implemented in close collaboration with partners worldwide and focuses on: treatment, research & development, WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), health education, advocacy & partnerships. More information about the Merck Schistosomiasis Elimination Program is available at?www.makingschistory.com. All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to?www.merckgroup.com/subscribe?to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. About Merck Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people?s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices ? the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck generated sales of ? 17.5 billion in 66 countries. Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck?s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics. About the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium is an international not-for-profit partnership that aims to reduce the global disease burden of schistosomiasis by addressing the medical needs of infected preschool-age children. Its mission is to develop, register and provide access to a suitable pediatric praziquantel formulation for treating schistosomiasis in this age group. For more information, and to see an overview of all Consortium partners, visit the Consortium website:?www.pediatricpraziquantelconsortium.org The Consortium is financially supported by Merck; in-kind contributions from the Consortium?s partners; and grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (2012), the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT) (2013, 2014, 2016, 2019 & 2021), and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), under its second program supported by the European Union (2018 & 2021).