REUSE4MALARIA | Drug Repurposing for Malaria Chemoprotection

Summary
Malaria is a serious parasitic disease afflicting 198 million people in 2013, with an estimated death toll of approximately 600 000. Approximately half the world’s population is at risk of malaria. So far there is no cure/vaccine against malaria and current chemoprotective treatments have shortcomings, such as: 1) Limited Number of Drugs effective against malaria parasites; 2) Adverse Side Effects (observed in 32% to 44% of users); 3) Parasite Resistance to most of the drugs used for prevention and treatment; and 4) Limited Use (restrictions on age, genetic traits, pregnancy, etc). Our ERC-funded research uncovered a novel mechanism of action that can be targeted for malaria chemoprotection, with fewer side effects and reduced propensity to generate parasite resistance, on which we filed for IP protection. Furthermore, we have identified a set of likely drug candidates already validated in the clinic, which are likely candidates for malaria chemoprotection. In fact, our preliminary data indicates that a known anti-diabetic drug significantly affects parasite growth. We are seeking funding to initiate pre-clinical studies for repurposing this drug for malaria chemoprotection. This PoC funding will allow us to complete the following aims: 1) in vitro profiling to define therapeutic dose for malaria chemoprotection; 2) in vivo profiling to perform efficacy and toxicity studies; 3) further define IP Strategy; 4) draft early stage Regulatory Approval Roadmap; 5) conduct Market Analysis and develop a Business Case.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/713691
Start date: 01-12-2016
End date: 31-05-2018
Total budget - Public funding: 145 500,00 Euro - 145 500,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Malaria is a serious parasitic disease afflicting 198 million people in 2013, with an estimated death toll of approximately 600 000. Approximately half the world’s population is at risk of malaria. So far there is no cure/vaccine against malaria and current chemoprotective treatments have shortcomings, such as: 1) Limited Number of Drugs effective against malaria parasites; 2) Adverse Side Effects (observed in 32% to 44% of users); 3) Parasite Resistance to most of the drugs used for prevention and treatment; and 4) Limited Use (restrictions on age, genetic traits, pregnancy, etc). Our ERC-funded research uncovered a novel mechanism of action that can be targeted for malaria chemoprotection, with fewer side effects and reduced propensity to generate parasite resistance, on which we filed for IP protection. Furthermore, we have identified a set of likely drug candidates already validated in the clinic, which are likely candidates for malaria chemoprotection. In fact, our preliminary data indicates that a known anti-diabetic drug significantly affects parasite growth. We are seeking funding to initiate pre-clinical studies for repurposing this drug for malaria chemoprotection. This PoC funding will allow us to complete the following aims: 1) in vitro profiling to define therapeutic dose for malaria chemoprotection; 2) in vivo profiling to perform efficacy and toxicity studies; 3) further define IP Strategy; 4) draft early stage Regulatory Approval Roadmap; 5) conduct Market Analysis and develop a Business Case.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

ERC-PoC-2015

Update Date

27-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
ERC-2015
ERC-2015-PoC
ERC-PoC-2015 ERC Proof of Concept Grant