Novel drugs for Chagas disease Millions of people suffer unknowingly from Chagas disease, particularly in countries like Mexico, Central America, and South America. EU-funded researchers formulated new drugs using compounds from a marine sponge species called Plakortis. Health © Thinkstock Chagas disease occurs due to the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is transmitted via blood-sucking insects such as assassin bugs to mammals. Currently, treatment involves using the drugs benznidazole or nifurtimox — both have limited efficacy and emerging drug resistance has been reported. The EU-funded PLAKORTIDE project was initiated to address the need for effective drugs,. Peroxides are of interest as they have anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Project members successfully developed methodologies for the isolation and synthesis of bioactive compounds cycloperoxides from natural sources like sponges. They optimised a cinchona-based catalyst system and improved production of target compounds from a low of 33 % up to 72 %. They also developed a novel prolinol ether-based catalyst system for the asymmetric peroxidation of unsaturated aldehydes. Participation of an Indian researcher in this project has already facilitated further collaboration between India and Ireland as well as enhanced research capacity and knowledge transfer. Outcomes were published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. This also aided in the procurement of additional funding for a four year PhD scholarship on this topic. Fields like organocatalysis and drug development for neglected diseases have received a boost thanks to the activities of PLAKORTIDE. Project activities should lay the foundation for development of effective drugs that will improve outcomes for people with diseases like Chagas and sleeping sickness. Keywords Chagas disease, drug, peroxide, anti-parasitic, bioactive, cinchona, catalyst, prolinol ether, aldehydes, organocatalysis
