Preclinical development of a novel antimalarial agent

While the global public health community has made significant progress in reducing mortality due to malaria, this mosquito-borne disease, caused by the Plasmodium parasite, still infects over 200 million people per year. In order to further decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with malaria, a multi-pronged approach is required, including mosquito control, effective vaccines, and new therapeutics that can target drug-resistant parasites, the infectious and transmission stages of the parasites, and the dormant liver stages of P. vivax and P. ovale. The Broad Institute has discovered a novel series of compounds with potent activity against multiple stages of Plasmodium. In collaboration with Eisai, Inc., we are currently optimizing these molecules, with the goal of identifying a development candidate in September 2016. The purpose of this proposal is to optimize the synthesis for this development candidate, manufacture approximately 1 kilogram of active pharmaceutical ingredient, and perform studies to further characterize the active pharmaceutical ingredient, including chemical analysis and efficacy testing in animal models of malaria. These activities are key steps required to eventually test these molecules in humans for safety and efficacy.

Drug-based Strategies
Product Development

Sep 2016 — Sep 2018

$2M

United States