Novartis helps to discover promising new malaria treatment

Novartis and a number of collaborative partners have discovered a potentially promising new class of therapies for malaria with dual-acting properties.

Scientists from the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research have allied with partners from the Scripps Research Institute and Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute to reveal potential benefits of imidazolopiperazine therapies.

This new type of drug is able to target both liver and blood infections, while attacking the Plasmodium parasite at both stages in its reproduction cycle, meaning it can prevent infections and also treat existing cases.

It is the second new class of antimalarials to be discovered as part of this project in two years and could be a potentially promising next-generation therapy if confirmed.

Joseph Jimenez, chief executive officer of Novartis, said: "These new findings further demonstrate our innovative and sustainable research commitment in this important area which has become integral to our corporate strategy for social responsibility."

Earlier this month, the company announced the appointment of Dr Timothy Wright as the new global head of development for its pharmaceutical business unit.