Background

Malaria, which causes about half a million deaths and infects 198 million people annually, is difficult to control and prevent, and is a growing threat worldwide. Mono-therapy can lead to drug resistance to known anti-malarial agents. There is a need for novel antimalarial drugs with new targets.

Technology Overview

The researchers have conceived of a novel use for senicapoc, a Gardos-channel (calcium-activated potassium channel) inhibitor developed for sickle cell disease, which has now been repurposed for development into an antimalarial agent. Red cell volume regulation is critical to the pathology of the parasites that cause malaria since plasmodium depends upon ion flow across the host membrane for growth. Cellular volume regulation also modulates the host defense against malaria infection