The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines at Scripps Research and Kainomyx, Inc., today announced a new research collaboration to accelerate the discovery and development of next-generation antimalarial drugs. This partnership, supported by the Gates Foundation, brings together Calibr-Skaggs’ world-class drug discovery platform and Kainomyx’s innovative focus on cytoskeletal targets in the Plasmodium species of the parasite that are responsible for the deadliest form of malaria.<\/p>\n
Meeting the unmet need in malaria<\/p>\n
Malaria remains one of the world’s most devastating infectious diseases, with over 280 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths annually, disproportionately affecting children and vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of P. falciparum threatens to undermine current therapies, highlighting the urgent need for new medicines with novel mechanisms of action. “The fight against malaria<\/a> is at a critical juncture,” said Case McNamara, senior director of infectious disease at Calibr-Skaggs. “We need to stay ahead of resistance by identifying and advancing compounds with entirely new mechanisms. Our collaboration with Kainomyx is designed to do just that: by targeting the parasite’s cytoskeleton, we open up a new front in the battle against this disease.”<\/p>\n Calibr-Skaggs’ track record and commitment<\/p>\n Calibr-Skaggs has a proven track record in translational drug discovery. The institute’s unique nonprofit model and integrated approach have enabled the advancement of over a dozen drug candidates into the clinic, including promising antimalarial agents.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Our mission is to translate scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions for those most in need. Collaborations like this are essential to succeed in the global effort to eradicate malaria.”<\/p>\n
Anil Gupta, director of medicinal chemistry at Calibr-Skaggs<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Kainomyx: Innovation in cytoskeletal biology<\/p>\n Kainomyx, a pioneering biotechnology company, brings deep expertise in the identification, expression, purification and structural analysis of cytoskeletal proteins in various parasites. By leveraging advanced biochemical and biophysical techniques, Kainomyx has developed a robust platform for discovering small molecules that disrupt the parasite’s cytoskeleton-a strategy with the potential to yield first-in-class antimalarial drugs.<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n