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La Jolla, CA – Scientists at Scripps Research have launched a clinical trial aimed at extending the effectiveness of atovaquone, a key anti-malaria drug, in an effort to bolster global malaria prevention efforts.
Working alongside a contract drug manufacturing and testing firm in the United Kingdom, researchers have begun administering doses of a long-acting version of atovaquone to a group of 25 to 30 healthy volunteers. This enhanced formulation is designed to prolong the drug’s presence in the body, potentially allowing for less frequent dosing.
Malaria, a potentially fatal disease primarily found in tropical regions, is transmitted through mosquito bites. Symptoms range from fever and chills to more severe complications such as seizures and respiratory difficulties. Despite ongoing prevention measures, malaria continues to claim an estimated 600,000 lives annually.
Arnab Chatterjee, vice president of medicinal chemistry at Scripps Research’s Calibr-Skaggs Institute, explained that the team, including medicinal chemistry director Anil Gupta, employed a “prodrug” strategy. This method involves attaching an inert molecule to atovaquone, enabling it to remain in muscle tissue post-injection and gradually release into the bloodstream over time. Once active, the drug effectively prevents malaria following exposure to infected mosquitoes.
“It’s 99% efficacious,” Chatterjee stated, highlighting the drug’s remarkable ability to prevent the disease.
Currently, atovaquone is administered in an oral form that requires daily dosing—an approach that is often costly and impractical for widespread use in low-income regions. The new injectable version, however, could remain effective for up to three months, significantly improving accessibility and compliance.
“This could be really powerful somewhere like the Sahel region in Africa, where malaria transmission aligns with the rainy season,” Chatterjee said. “With a single shot, we could protect large groups of people for an entire year.”
The new approach also enhances efficiency, as injectable forms of the drug require lower dosages compared to their oral counterparts, which must be digested before absorption.
The project has gained support from Medicines for Malaria Venture, a Swiss nonprofit dedicated to advancing affordable anti-malarial treatments. If Phase I trials confirm safety, broader efficacy trials could commence as early as 2026.
Scripps Research is also applying a similar strategy to HIV prevention, partnering with pharmaceutical company Merck to test long-acting prodrug injectables of two HIV medications. Gilead Sciences licensed the development candidate in early 2024 following promising initial safety trials.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information available at the time of publication and should not be considered medical advice. The clinical trial is in its early stages, and the drug’s safety and efficacy in humans are still being evaluated. Individuals should consult healthcare professionals for guidance on malaria prevention and treatment options.
