Abstract

A team of researchers from the University of Minho have been working on the development of pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine-based compounds that have shown exceptional efficacy against malaria and leishmaniasis infections.

Tecnology Description

The compounds have been specifically designed to target and combat the parasites responsible for malaria and leishmaniasis infections. They have shown remarkable activity against T. brucei, L. infantum promastigote and amastigote forms, and Plasmodium falciparum strains 3D7 and Dd2 in laboratory tests, demonstrating their potential as potent antiparasitic agents.

Innovative Aspects and Main advantages

The new compounds exhibit several innovative aspects and significant advantages over existing treatments:

  • Unparalleled efficacy: The compounds have demonstrated high activity against T. brucei, L. infantum promastigote and amastigote forms, as well as Plasmodium falciparum strains 3D7 and Dd2, both in vitro.
  • Targeted treatment: The compounds can specifically target the parasites responsible for malaria and leishmaniasis infections, ensuring precise and effective therapy.
  • Overcoming drug resistance: With the emergence of drug-resistant strains, the new compounds offer a potential solution to combat malaria parasites that are resistant to current treatment options.
  • Novel scaffold: the compounds represent a new class of antiparasitic agents, introducing a fresh approach to treating these debilitating diseases.

Market Applications

The market applications for the technology are extensive, encompassing the treatment and therapy of malaria and leishmaniasis. Malaria affects millions of people globally, and the urgent need for new antimalarial agents is further heightened by the rise of drug-resistant strains. Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, poses a significant health burden in several countries and demands effective treatment options. Our compounds have the potential to address these pressing market needs and revolutionize the treatment landscape for these parasitic infections.

Stage of Development

The compounds have been synthesized and tested in vitro against various strains of parasites. The compounds have shown remarkable potency and selectivity against T. brucei, L. infantum promastigote and amastigote forms, and P. falciparum strains 3D7 and Dd2, making them promising candidates for further development and optimization as antiparasitic drugs.

Intellectual Property Rights

PCT patent filled.

Collaboration Details

The team is looking for pharmaceutic companies developing drugs to treat vector-borne parasitic diseases, including neglected tropical diseases, willing to discuss research partnerships to further develop the technology.