Antimalarial Drug Development
Treating malaria is a global challenge. Resistance against artemisinin-based combination therapies has recently been detected in Southeast Asia, threatening the impact of standard therapies on malaria. Developing new and highly efficient antimalarials is, therefore, urgently needed. The Swiss TPH has a long and successful track record in antimalarial drug development. We are among the leading institutions in assay development and drug discovery. Our in vitro and in vivo models globally support the preclinical development of new antimalarials. Clinical research is carried out in endemic countries of tropical Africa.
Project Highlights
Drug Discovery for Malaria
The NGBS programme in malaria drug discovery is a collaboration between public and private research institutes. This programme aims at solving two fundamental medical needs. Firstly, a one dose cure for P. falciparum malaria would be a breakthrough in solving compliance problems, and would also contribute easing logistical and cost issues. Also new molecules are needed to replace older ones that are increasingly rendered ineffective through resistance. Secondly, an attempt is made to identify targets that allow achieving effective cures for P. vivax infections.
Antimalarial Drug Screening
Our mandate with Medicines for Malaria Venture in Geneva – a non-profit foundation for new antimalarial drugs – comprises exploratory work on novel compounds from various sources. The goal is to identify novel chemical entities showing antimalarial activity in vitro and in rodent models. Our experience during the last decade is that such novel compounds can ultimately become part of the Medicines for Malaria Venture portfolio.
Link to Project
Modelling and Simulation for Drug Development at Swiss TPH
This research project is aligned with priorities of Swiss TPH, namely integrating drug discovery and drug development with modeling. Aiming to strengthen capacity at the institute for model based research and development of existing and novel drugs we propose to use pharmacometrics and modelling and simulation in the preclinical and clinical development of antimalarials and anthelmintics, respectively.
“Developing the compound is of huge importance - for the spread of resistance against traditional drugs is on arise.”
Sergio Wittlin