Treatment
Further development of new promising parasite inhibitors: from preclinical through to clinical phases.
Despite extensive research, the fight against malaria continues to pose a major challenge to scientists worldwide. Regional genetic differences in the pathogen together with differences in the populations affected make treatment difficult. Further obstacles include coinfections with other pathogens and the development of resistance against commonly used agents. Artesunate and quinine, the drugs currently being used for treatment, have side effects on the one hand and, on the other hand, result in an increasing number of resistant plasmodia. Developing new drugs with different mechanisms of action is therefore essential. At the DZIF, scientists are collaborating with the Swiss non-profit organisation Medicines for Malaria Ventures to develop new promising parasite inhibitors.
