New malaria drug developed by EU funded project An EU funded project has carried out successful efficacy trials of a new drug against malaria, which could be available within three years. With 1.8 million euro from the international cooperation sub-section of the Fifth Framework Programme, an international consortium invol... An EU funded project has carried out successful efficacy trials of a new drug against malaria, which could be available within three years. With 1.8 million euro from the international cooperation sub-section of the Fifth Framework Programme, an international consortium involving partners from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Gabon, Cameroon, Colombia and Brazil developed the principle, first developed by the German biotechnology company Jomaa Pharmaka. The innovative drug contains the active compound fosmidomycin, marking the first time that this has been used for the treatment of malaria in humans. Fosmidomycin inhibits an enzyme crucial for the malarial parasite. This enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of certain vital biomolecules (isoprenoids). In humans, these substances are produced via a biochemical pathway different to that of malarial parasites, so it is not toxic for humans. In a clinical study conducted on 27 patients in Gabon, fosmidomycin was shown to kill the malaria parasite. In some regions, a high percentage of malaria parasites are already resistant to other drugs, such as chloroquine and sulfadoxine. Fosmidomycin is, however, also effective against these multi-resistant strains. It will be another three years before the drug could be commercially available. In the meantime, the consortium plans to experiment with a combination of fosmidomycin and another anti-malarial compounds with the aim of shortening the duration of the therapy and preventing the emergence of resistances. Initial studies have already begun. Malaria is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and South America. The death toll is high. Every year, between 1.5 and three million people die from the disease, the majority of these being children under six years old. The disease is also spreading. Recently malaria returned to regions from which it was eradicated decades ago and the first cases of malaria have also been discovered in areas that were previously considered malaria free, such as central Asia and eastern Europe. More people are therefore dying from malaria today than 30 years ago, and the main reason for this is the spread of malaria parasites that are resistant to current drugs. In August 2002 the Commission proposed a long term partnership with developing countries with the aim of developing new medicines and vaccines against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Termed the 'European and developing countries clinical trials partnership', the initiative will receive 200 million euro in Commission funding.
