Developing new drugs to fight malaria using machine learning

Novel Dual-Stage Antimalarials: Machine learning prediction, validation and evolution

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10878908

This study is working on developing new medicines to fight malaria by targeting the infection in both the blood and liver, using smart computer technology to find the best options, so that patients can have better treatments, especially as current drugs are becoming less effective.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10878908 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating new small molecules that can effectively target both the blood and liver stages of malaria infection caused by the Plasmodium parasite. By utilizing machine learning models, the project aims to predict and validate these novel antimalarial compounds, which have shown promise in preliminary tests for their effectiveness and safety. The goal is to provide new treatment options for malaria, especially in cases where existing drugs are becoming less effective due to resistance. Patients may benefit from these advancements through improved treatment outcomes and reduced mortality rates associated with malaria.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of malaria infection, particularly in regions where drug-resistant strains are prevalent.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk of malaria or those who have already been effectively treated with existing antimalarial medications may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antimalarial drugs that can save lives and improve health outcomes for those infected.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using machine learning for drug discovery, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements in antimalarial treatments.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.