Dr. Sabine Specht

Dr. Sabine Specht is a scientist and global health leader with more than 25 years of experience in tropical medicine, parasitology, infectious diseases, and the development of new treatments for NTDs. Her career spans academia, non-profit product development partnerships, and the pharmaceutical industry, providing her with a unique perspective on translating scientific innovation into public health impact. Since 2025, she serves as Global Clinical Program Excellence Lead for NTDs at Bayer AG, where she contributes to the strategic development of programs addressing diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. Prior to joining Bayer, she led the Parasitic Worms Program at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in Geneva, overseeing the development of novel therapies for helminth infections and working closely with international partners, funders, regulators, and endemic-country stakeholders. Earlier in her career, Dr. Specht held academic positions at the University of Zurich and the University Hospital Bonn, where she established and led research programs focused on the immunobiology of parasitic infections and the discovery and development of anti-helminthic medicines. She has extensive experience in clinical development, translational research, regulatory strategy, scientific management, and international collaboration. Throughout her career, Dr. Specht has built and strengthened partnerships across academia, industry, governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations to advance innovative solutions for neglected diseases. She is recognized for her commitment to capacity building, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of patient-centered interventions that address unmet medical needs. Dr. Specht obtained her degree in Biology from the University of Hamburg and completed her PhD at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg. She subsequently earned her Habilitation in Medical Parasitology and Infection Immunology. Her scientific work has contributed to a greater understanding of host-parasite interactions and has supported the advancement of new therapeutic approaches for neglected tropical diseases.