25th 14:00-17:00 (CET)

We are pleased to announce the workshop ““Compounds from natural sources and organic waste for VBDs”” organized in the context of the COST Action 21111 OneHealthdrugs – “One Health drugs against parasitic vector-borne diseases in Europe and beyond” (https://onehealthdrugs.com). The COST Action network aims to coordinate the discovery of drugs that stop vector-borne infections in both human and veterinary settings according to the principles of the optimal profile for these organisms, increasing quality and reducing environmental impact. 

The workshop is jointly organized by WG1-WG5/HG4/HG7 and will cover activities related to sustainable drug discovery for VBDs using natural sources and valorisation of organic waste. Various secondary metabolites from plants and other organisms have achieved regulatory approval for treating infectious diseases. In addition, valorisation of agro-food by-products and organic waste into valuable precursors towards the synthesis of new drugs against VBDs merges circular economy with sustainable drug discovery leading to the development of eco-friendly, cost-effective antiparasitic drugs. The current workshop will provide insights on the recent trends in natural products research for VBDs, exploring the therapeutic potential of natural products along with sustainable methods for extraction, isolation and synthesis. In addition it will incentivise researchers to employ green, responsible and sustainable approaches in the quest for new efficacious and low cost drugs against these diseases.

This collaborative event will provide a platform for scientists, academics, young researchers and industry professionals to share insights, methodologies, advancements, a pipeline and portfolio of approaches in the pursuit of environmentally conscious antiparasitic drug discovery. 

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Program

 “Compounds from natural sources and organic waste for VBDs” 

Thursday 25 th June 2026 

Moderators: TBA 

14:00-14:15: Welcome 

14:15-14:45: Prof. Simone Brogi, University of Pisa, Department of Pharmacy, Italy 

“Targeting Leishmania Arginase with Nature-Inspired Compounds: An Integrated in Vitro and in Silico Strategy” 

14:45-15:05: Mr. Justus Wambua Mukavi, University of Münster, Institute of Pharmaceutical 

Biology and Phytochemistry, Germany 

“Antiprotozoal Aminosteroid Alkaloids from Buxus obtusifolia: Structural Diversity, Bioactivity, and Seasonal Variation” 

15:05-15:35: Prof. John O. Igoli, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria 

“Compounds from natural sources and organic waste for VBDs” 

15:35-15:55: Dr. Godwin Ebiloma, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, UK 

“Natural Products as Multi-Target Antiparasitic Agents Against Trypanosomatid Parasites: 

Mechanistic Insights and Translational Potentials of Polyalthia longifolia Diterpenoids and European Propolis” 

15:55-16:25: Prof João Paulo dos Santos Fernandes, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brasil 

“Naturally-inspired drug design: Taming promising natural molecules into drug-like antiparasitic agents” 

16:25-16:55: Prof. Richard M. Beteck, North-West University, South Africa 

“Geraniol Mimetics: Preparation and Anti-parasitic activities” 

16:55-17:00: Closing Remarks 

Announcement - Natural compounds in OHD -

We are excited to announce the workshop ““Compounds from natural sources and organic waste for VBDs”” organized in the context of the COST Action 21111 OneHealthdrugs – “One Health drugs against parasitic vector-borne diseases in Europe and beyond” (https://onehealthdrugs.com). The COST Action network aims to coordinate the discovery of drugs that stop vector-borne infections in both human and veterinary settings according to the principles of the optimal profile for these organisms, increasing quality and reducing environmental impact. 

The workshop is jointly organized by WG1-WG5/HG4/HG7 and will cover activities related to sustainable drug discovery for VBDs using natural sources and valorisation of organic waste. Various secondary metabolites from plants and other organisms have achieved regulatory approval for treating infectious diseases. In addition, valorisation of agro-food by-products and organic waste into valuable precursors towards the synthesis of new drugs against VBDs merges circular economy with sustainable drug discovery leading to the development of eco-friendly, cost-effective antiparasitic drugs. The current workshop will provide insights on the recent trends in natural products research for VBDs, exploring the therapeutic potential of natural products along with sustainable methods for extraction, isolation and synthesis. In addition it will incentivise researchers to employ green, responsible and sustainable approaches in the quest for new efficacious and low cost drugs against these diseases.

This collaborative event will provide a platform for scientists, academics, young researchers and industry professionals to share insights, methodologies, advancements, a pipeline and portfolio of approaches in the pursuit of environmentally conscious antiparasitic drug discovery. 

COST
What is COST?

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. The COST ACTIONS help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation.

OneHealthdrugs CA21111
Title:

One Health drugs against parasitic vector borne diseases in Europe and beyond

Acronym:

OneHealthdrugs

Start date of the Action:

24/10/2022

End date of the Action:

23/10/2026

CSO approval date:

27/05/2022

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Download file

Contact Points
Chair:

Maria Paola Costi

Vice-Chair:

Anabela Cordeiro da Silva

COST staff

Scientific Officer:
Wioleta Walentowska
Administrative Officer:
Nathalie Warenghien

Administrative Team

Maria Cristina Notarsanto
Maria Esposito and Laura Leonardi