Research teams from three academic institutions and two private sector companies on two continents have come together to form the “International Malaria Research Consortium for the development of novel classes of antimalarials", (the "Consortium") a bold initiative to develop novel classes of drugs against malaria, a deadly disease in desperate need of new treatments.
Each of the Consortium's five partners brings unique capabilities spanning the spectrum from academic research to commercial development, and significantly - their existing technologies to the table. Through an extensive program design process, the parties hit upon unique combinations of these existing technologies that, combined with new drugs to be developed under the program, represent entirely new approaches to treating and potentially even eradicating this disease.
"It was a fascinating process to see different organizations with deep knowledge in their individual fields coming together and combining this knowledge to create innovative new approaches to the treatment of this disease" – Prof. Virander Chauhan, Director, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology - New Delhi
"Creative leverage" is a term that comes to mind in describing this program. In addition to developing new therapeutics, we are also bringing together existing technologies developed by the partners and combining them in new ways such that one will have the potential to boost the effectiveness of another." - Dr. Lakshmi P. Kotra, Director, Center for Molecular Design and Preformulations, University Health Network and University of Toronto.
In a field that has seen very few new drugs introduced in the past 30 years, and where most of these drugs have lost effectiveness due to the emergence of drug resistant malaria strains, this program endeavors to develop entirely new classes of drugs, and furthermore will seek to develop drugs that, by their design, will hinder the emergence of drug resistance.
With funding from the International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada Inc. (ISTPCanada) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India, these new therapies will be developed and refined. Led by the site directors of each partner, Lakshmi Kotra at University Health Network/University of Toronto (Consortium lead in Canada), David Bell at Therapure Biopharma a (
Biotech Manufacturing Inc) , Jitendra Verma at Lifecare Innovations, Asif Mohammed at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Consortium lead in India), and R. Mahesh at Birla Institute of Technology and Science, this program brings together a dynamic and talented groups of world-class scientists for a common cause of advancing basic research discoveries to preclinical development. This consortium brings their combined
drug development expertise to the discovery and development of new compounds against targets in the parasite that causes malaria.
Current projects include the development of drugs against three malaria targets that the academic groups have researched extensively. This research is combined with the state-of-the-art tools and expertise in computer modeling, medicinal chemistry, nanoformulations and drug conjugation technologies from the consortium partners to advance potential drugs into IND enabling studies. The consortium has already made excellent progress since its activities started in April, 2010 and looking to expand the scope of the efforts with additional partners to advance the mission to develop clinically viable new antimalarials.
One example of this technology combination process is embodied in an objective to treat a form of malaria that resides in the liver. This form of the disease can re-emerge months or years after the initial infection to cause new illnesses in that individual. Additionally this form of the disease can re-introduce malaria into local populations where it had previously been eliminated - frustrating permanent eradication efforts. To tackle this problem the program will combine new drugs developed with existing technologies designed to deliver drugs to the liver in an effective form.
Other technology harnessed under the program will allow antimalarial drugs to be released slowly over long periods of time. This slow release gives the potential for a "one pill cure", a long sought after goal in anti-malarial drug development programs as it would allow the most effective utilization of often limited medical resources.
Malaria is one of humanities most devastating illnesses with an estimated 247 million cases worldwide in 2008 and almost one million deaths, mostly among children. In Africa a child dies every 45 seconds of Malaria and the disease accounts for 20% of all childhood deaths. Furthermore drug resistance is steadily undermining the effectiveness of existing treatments - driving the need for new therapies.
About Therapure Biopharma :-
Therapure Biopharma Inc. is an integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, purifies, and packages therapeutic Protein Characterization. Therapure Biopharma is also a specialist in therapies derived from hemoglobin, a blood protein. As a
Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturers Therapure Biopharma applies scientific, manufacturing, and downstream Purification of Protein expertise with an intimate understanding of advanced biology, complex proteins, and regulatory processes to develop effective and innovative solutions to advance products from discovery to market.
About University Health Network :-
University Health Network consists of Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals. The scope of research and complexity of cases at University Health Network has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, and genomic medicine. University Health Network is a research and teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
About International Centre for Genetic Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB) :-
The ICGEB is an autonomous, intergovernmental organization with its headquarters in Trieste, Italy and two other components in New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa; in addition, ICGEB currently has 57 full Member countries. The ICGEB provides a scientific and educational environment of the highest standard and conducts innovative research in life sciences for the benefit of developing countries. It strengthens the research capability of its members through training and funding programs and advisory services and represents a comprehensive approach to promoting biotechnology internationally.
About Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) :-
The Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani is an all-India Institute for Higher Education. The research group at BITS has expertise in synthetic chemistry and drug delivery areas with a strong track record of research in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery related areas.
About Lifecare Innovations :-
Lifecare Innovations is an R&D intensive company specializing in controlled release pharmaceuticals employing an array of novel drug delivery technologies. Lifecare Innovations is engaged in the development of number of these controlled release drugs in collaboration with national institutions. These are under various stages of development. Predominant among these are a range of antifungals. In addition, in-house developments for commercialization of technologies have led to the successful launch of several drugs in the market by Lifecare Innovations.
