Antimalarial compound hailed as ‘exciting step forward’ in fight against disease

Scientists have hailed a new antimalarial compound as “an exciting step forward” in the worldwide fight against the disease.

The compound was discovered by researchers at the University of Dundee, who said it has the potential to simplify dosing regimens for the treatment and prevention of the illness.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes, and is mostly found in tropical countries.

In 2024, there were an estimated 282 million cases of malaria and 610,000 deaths from the disease worldwide – figures which have been rising in part due to growing resistance to medicines used in malaria control.

The new compound, which is named cabamiquine, is described as a “novel drug-like molecule” that can be delivered in a single dose.

An early-stage clinical trial showed that when administered together with a commonly used antimalarial drug called pyronaridine, it is both effective and has a favourable safety profile in adults and adolescents.

The team said this supports further development for this combination therapy in larger trials and in children.

Dr Beatriz Baragana said the compound could help simplify the dosing regimens for malaria (University of Dundee/PA)

Dr Beatriz Baragana, a member of the Dundee University team that discovered cabamiquine, said: “This is an exciting step forward for a compound which has great potential to simplify dosing regimens for malaria, a disease which causes hundreds of thousands of deaths every year.

“All of the initial work that ultimately resulted in the discovery of cabamiquine was performed here in Dundee, with support and funding from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).

“We are delighted to see how the compound, when administered with pyronaridine, is progressing into a potential malaria medicine, giving hope to the millions of people affected by malaria every year.”

Professor Ian Gilbert is head of the University of Dundee’s drug discovery unit, which made the breakthrough.

The unit works with partners to translate world-class biology research into novel drug targets and candidate drugs to address unmet medical needs.

Prof Gilbert said: “The benefits of this compound are not only that it looks to be effective, with a good benefit/risk profile, but it can also be delivered in a single dose, which is an important factor when you are treating a disease that occurs commonly in areas where consistent delivery of healthcare can be challenging.”

The team received financial and scientific support from MMV, which now intends to take cabamiquine-pyronaridine forward for further development.

Paul Willis, vice president of drug discovery and preclinical safety at MMV, said: “Novel treatment and prevention regimens are urgently needed with simplified dosing to enable effective case management and to support long-term malaria control and elimination goals.”

The results of the study have been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

The trial was conducted by the pharmaceutical company Merck, as part of the PAMAfrica consortium, and was co-funded by the EDCTP2 Programme, supported by the European Union and the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency.