Proof-of-concept study of mefloquine nanoformulation for ultra-long-acting prophylaxis in malaria

The clinical approval of ultra-long-acting prophylaxis in HIV/AIDS using the injection of milled nanocrystals of the antivirals cabotegravir and rilpivirine for intramuscular depot administration has stimulated the development of this type of prophylactic therapy in other infectious diseases. This biotechnological tool (depot) has great potential in malaria. In fact, prophylactic therapies have been and continue to be used in malaria, although they are not ultra-long-acting. However, there has been a demand for this type of prophylaxis, since there is a vaccine candidate in clinical trials using the attenuated sporozoite strategy (PfSPz-Vac) in which chemoprophylaxis with the use of an antiparasitic drug is required to prevent the attenuated sporozoites from proliferating in the patient. To achieve single-dose prophylaxis against malaria, the active ingredient of the medication must be long-acting and formulated within a drug delivery system targeting asexual parasites, with gradual release. Previous studies conducted by the research team have demonstrated that Mefloquine (MFQ) possesses a relatively long plasma duration and superior prophylactic potential compared to current oral prophylactic treatments, making it an ideal candidate for use with the biotechnological “depot” system. The investigators have designed a controlled, preclinical, proof-of-concept, superiority study to determine the prophylactic potential of the biotechnological product NP-MFQ-11, a single-dose “depot” formulation of Mefloquine (MFQ), against malaria. Through the execution of this project, the research team aims to deepen understanding of the molecular foundations of drug delivery systems in prophylactic interventions and to advance their translation into a modern, nationally developed biotechnological product for use in malaria vaccine-based prevention strategies.

Basic Science
Enabling Technologies & Assays

Nov 2022 — Nov 2025

Brazil