Toronto, Canada and New Delhi, India, October 27, 2010 -- 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. This bold initiative will develop novel classes of drugs against malaria, a deadly disease in desperate need of new treatments.
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.
Each of the consortium's five partners brings unique capabilities spanning the spectrum from academic research to commercial development. They also bring their existing technologies to the table and have hit upon unique combinations of these existing technologies which, when combined with new drugs, represent entirely new approaches to treating and potentially 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 and 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 International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada Inc. (ISTP Canada) 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, 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.
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 and drug delivery to advance potential drugs to the point where human studies can begin. The consortium is making excellent progress and is open to additional partners with the same vision.
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 a novel technology from one of the consortium partners that is 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" – an accomplishment which would revolutionize the treatment of malaria in a cost-effective manner.
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.
About Therapure Biopharma
Therapure Biopharma Inc. is an integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, purifies, and packages therapeutic proteins. Therapure Biopharma is also a specialist in therapies derived from hemoglobin, a blood protein. As a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Therapure Biopharma applies scientific, manufacturing, and downstream purification 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.