26.08.2026

Fighting NTDs: From cutting-edge research to real-world impact

As the final stop of his summer tour highlighting the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Sascha van Beek, Member of Parliament and Chair of the DNTD Parliamentary Advisory Board, visited the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP) at University Hospital Bonn (UKB).

Foto © DNTDs

Hosted by Institute Director Prof. Dr. Achim Hoerauf, also Speaker of the German Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (DNTDs), Mr. van Beek got a first-hand look at how IMMIP is helping to turn research into solutions for people affected by NTDs around the world. The visit showcased the Institute’s cutting-edge work on filarial diseases such as river blindness, as well as its efforts to develop and bring new treatments into clinical trials.

In the laboratories, researchers demonstrated how the effectiveness of potential new drugs is assessed—from sophisticated laboratory testing and diagnostics to the evaluation of treatment outcomes. The visit offered a direct insight into the demanding path from a promising scientific discovery to a treatment that can make a real difference for patients.

The laboratory tour was followed by a lively roundtable on strengthening scientific capacity and creating opportunities for the next generation of researchers. Scientists from IMMIP joined representatives from the global health and pandemic preparedness teams at GIZ and DLR, alongside international researchers from Nigeria, Togo and Kenya. The discussion made one thing clear: strong scientific partnerships, mentoring and the exchange of expertise are essential to building sustainable research capacity where neglected diseases remain a major burden.

As Prof. Dr. Achim Hoerauf emphasized:

“We need to work together to ensure that research findings reach the people and places where they are urgently needed. At the same time, we in Europe deeply benefit from the expertise and shared knowledge of our international partners.”

The visit to IMMIP brought Sascha van Beek’s summer tour to a strong conclusion—and highlighted what it takes to tackle NTDs successfully: excellent science, international partnerships, committed policymakers, sustainable funding, modern infrastructure and a new generation of highly trained researchers.

At IMMIP, these elements come together every day. The goal is clear: turn scientific excellence into better treatments and lasting health impact for people affected by neglected diseases worldwide.

https://www.facebook.com/saschavanbeekniederrhein/videos/1599288265151249/