Global Schistosomiasis Alliance

What Global Schistosomiasis Alliance does

The Global Schistosomiasis Alliance (GSA) is a London-based non-profit network organization founded in 2014 that coordinates global efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease affecting over 200 million people, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. The alliance operates as a neutral convenor that brings together researchers, ministries of health, NGOs, implementing organizations, donors, civil society, and technical experts through a membership-based online network, a directory of schistosomiasis experts, and eight expert working groups covering Diagnostics, Snail Vectors, Research, Behaviour Change, Monitoring & Evaluation, the Genital Schistosomiasis Community of Practice, the Early Career Researchers Network, and the FGS Integration Group (FIG). The GSA maintains seven curated resource collections (WHO, GSA, Behaviour Change, Diagnostics, Genital Schistosomiasis, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Snail Resource) and publishes two recurrent newsletters (Schisto Bulletin and Research Update), anchoring its position as the primary knowledge hub for the schistosomiasis community. Its technology footprint is a Drupal-based web platform (eliminateschisto.org) supported by a Telegram channel for early career researchers; the organization does not develop or sell commercial software products.

The GSA's business model is that of a grant-funded non-profit alliance. The organization is explicitly funded by Merck (pharmaceutical company) as its primary institutional donor, with no commercial revenue streams, no product pricing, and free membership access to its network and resources. With a headcount of 9 employees, the alliance operates as a lean secretariat that animates a much larger partner ecosystem, including WHO, UNAIDS, Frontline AIDS, Unlimit Health, Sightsavers, LifeArc, and numerous academic and civil society organizations. In 2025-2026 it refreshed its strategic direction through the GSA Strategy 2026-2030, expanded the FGS Integration Group with additional cross-sector members, and deepened its convening footprint into the water-health nexus via the Africa Water Security Conference (AWS-2026). AI-related signals in the source material (AID-FGS computer-vision diagnosis, U-Net segmentation of cervical grainy sandy patches) relate to research outputs from partner institutions in Zambia and Madagascar, not to proprietary products of the GSA itself.

Name

Global Schistosomiasis Alliance

Legal name

Global Schistosomiasis Alliance

Website

https://eliminateschisto.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Global Schistosomiasis Alliance is a London-based non-profit network founded in 2014 that convenes researchers, ministries of health, NGOs, and implementing partners to coordinate global efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis, primarily funded by Merck and operating through expert working groups, resource collections, and the FGS Integration Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Global Health Alliance and NTD Coordination

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Global Programs (HIV/TB/Malaria/NTDs) (HLAJAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations (HLAJAKAN), Public Health Governance, Interagency Coordination & Partnerships (HLAJAMAD)

Keywords

• Neglected tropical diseases
• Schistosomiasis elimination
• Public health coordination
• Global health alliance
• Disease control advocacy

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding: The GSA operates as a non-profit alliance funded by institutional donors. The organization is explicitly funded by Merck (pharmaceutical company). The alliance does not generate commercial revenue but relies on grants and donations to support its coordination, convening, and knowledge-sharing activities across the global schistosomiasis community.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Global Schistosomiasis Alliance operates as a non-profit coordination network and convening platform that brings together organizations, researchers, ministries of health, NGOs, and public health actors working on schistosomiasis control and elimination. Its core offerings include an online member network, eight expert working groups, curated resource collections (WHO, GSA, Diagnostics, Behaviour Change, etc.), two newsletters, and the FGS Integration Group coalition. The alliance disseminates knowledge, facilitates collaboration, and supports country-led action toward eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health problem.

Product overview

The Global Schistosomiasis Alliance (GSA) is a coordination network rather than a product company. It operates as an impartial convenor and forum that connects stakeholders working on schistosomiasis control and elimination. The GSA provides a membership network platform, facilitates multiple expert Working Groups (covering areas such as Diagnostics, Research, Snail Vectors, and Genital Schistosomiasis), hosts curated Resource Collections including WHO and GSA materials, publishes newsletters (Schisto Bulletin and Research Update), and maintains a strategic framework (GSA Strategy 2026-2030). The FGS Integration Group (FIG) operates as a specialized coalition within the GSA structure. The Alliance does not develop or sell commercial products but rather enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and coordination among researchers, programme implementers, and public health actors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GSA Online Network A membership-based online network connecting researchers, programme implementers, and public health actors working on schistosomiasis control and elimination. Members gain access to a directory of schistosomiasis experts.
• GSA Working Groups

Quantifiable outcome

• GSA Strategy 2026-2030 outlines targets for strengthening coordination, evidence access, innovation, and country-led action to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem globally.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• LifeArccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 September 2024LifeArc co-convened the consultative workshop 'Female Genital Schistosomiasis: Translational Challenges and Opportunities' with the GSA and BILGENSA Research Network on September 6, 2024, to identify practical solutions for FGS research needs.
• WHO and UNAIDS FGS InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2019WHO and UNAIDS launched a joint call during the 20th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa (ICASA) in Kigali, Rwanda (December 2-7, 2019) to integrate Female Genital Schistosomiasis with sexual and reproductive health interventions.
• Frontline AIDScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrontline AIDS is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG), an innovative coalition working to tackle Female Genital Schistosomiasis. FIG aims to galvanize joint action across sexual and reproductive health, HIV, HPV/cervical cancer, NTD, and WASH sectors.
• Unlimit HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnlimit Health is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG). The organization works to improve health and reduce health inequalities for people affected by NTDs, including schistosomiasis and FGS.
• SightsaverscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSightsavers is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG), contributing to efforts to integrate FGS prevention and treatment into sexual and reproductive health programmes across endemic countries.
• Speak Up AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpeak Up Africa is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG), working to drive sustainable changes in public health policy and practice across Africa, including for schistosomiasis and FGS.
• Bridges to DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridges to Development is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG), contributing to the coalition working on integrating FGS into broader health programmes.
• Coalition for Operational Research on NTDscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Coalition for Operational Research on NTDs (COR-NTD) is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG), providing operational research expertise for schistosomiasis and FGS control.
• LVCT HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLVCT Health is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG), contributing expertise in health research and programme implementation for FGS integration.
• Pakachere Institute for Health and Development CommunicationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPakachere Institute is a member of the FGS Integration Group (FIG), providing expertise in health communication and behaviour change for FGS awareness and integration.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO is a key partner in the schistosomiasis ecosystem. WHO and UNAIDS launched a joint advocacy document during ICASA 2019 calling for integration of FGS into women's health services. The GSA provides WHO Collection resources and works with WHO on guidelines and policy frameworks.
• UNAIDScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNAIDS is a key partner working with WHO on FGS integration. The joint WHO/UNAIDS advocacy document launched at ICASA 2019 called for integrating FGS with sexual and reproductive health interventions.
• Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM) at Addis Ababa UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACEWM at Addis Ababa University is organizing the Africa Water Security Conference (AWS-2026) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 21-23, 2026), which the GSA is promoting and engaging with as a partner in the water-health nexus.
• ISNTD (International Society for NTDs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe GSA collaborates with ISNTD on the ISNTD Connect GSA Webinar Series, providing educational content on schistosomiasis and NTDs to the global community.
• BILGENSA Research Network (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BILGENSA Research Network collaborated with LifeArc and GSA on the FGS Translational Challenges workshop, contributing to efforts to advance FGS research and integration.
• FIG Coalition PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional FIG coalition members include: Global Schistosomiasis Alliance, Global Schistosomiasis Alliance, NALA, FIND GANE, One Health Society, CNNTDS, Effect Hope, and The Federation Humana People to People, all working together to tackle FGS through cross-sector coordination.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mectizan Donation Program: The Mectizan Donation Program is a long-standing Merck-supported partnership that coordinates ivermectin distribution for onchocerciasis and LF. It is a structural analog to GSA in terms of pharmaceutical-donor-funded coordination of NTD drug delivery programmes.
• Sightsavers: Sightsavers is a major international NGO working on multiple NTDs (including schistosomiasis via FIG) and eye health. As a larger, broader incumbent in the NTD space, it is comparable to GSA in convening role but with a wider portfolio and significantly larger resources.
• WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases: The WHO NTD Department is the lead global policy and normative body for schistosomiasis control and elimination. It is a strategic peer and partner to GSA, setting the global roadmap that GSA's working groups help implement.

Direct peers

• Speak Up Africa: Speak Up Africa is a policy and advocacy organization working on public health (NTD, immunization, malaria) across Africa. As a FIG member, it is a comparable advocacy-focused peer with African program integration.
• Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD): COR-NTD is a multi-stakeholder coalition that convenes researchers, program implementers, and donors around NTD operational research. It is a FIG member and shares GSA's convening and research-coordination model but spans all NTDs rather than schistosomiasis specifically.
• Bridges to Development: Bridges to Development is a non-profit focused on integrated preventive health solutions including NTDs. It is a FIG member and shares GSA's cross-sector convening approach (health, WASH, education) for schistosomiasis and FGS.
• Effect Hope: Effect Hope is a Canadian NGO focused on NTDs including schistosomiasis. It is a FIG member and shares the NGO/NTD operational model with overlapping programmatic concerns around FGS, deworming, and integrated disease control.
• International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases (ISNTD): ISNTD is a professional society that convenes NTD stakeholders and runs the ISNTD Connect GSA Webinar Series alongside GSA. It is a natural convening peer with overlapping audience and content focus.
• Unlimit Health: Previously known as the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Unlimit Health is a global health organization directly focused on schistosomiasis and other NTDs. It is a core FIG member and works on NTD programme delivery in endemic countries, making it the most direct operational peer to GSA.
• NALA Foundation: NALA is a non-profit organization focused on the elimination of intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and other NTDs in endemic countries. As a FIG member, it is one of the most directly comparable single-disease NTD-focused organizations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-schistosomiasis-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Schistosomiasis Alliance