Improving antimalarial drugs to fight malaria at different stages of the parasite's life cycle

Optimization of antimalarials targeting multiple life stages of the parasite

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10923593

This study is working on creating new medicines to fight malaria by improving two promising compounds, so that people can have better options for preventing and treating this disease, especially as some current treatments are becoming less effective.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10923593 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing new antimalarial medications that can effectively target various life stages of the malaria parasite. The team is optimizing two novel compounds, 2a and (R)-3a, which have shown promise in laboratory tests. By using advanced screening techniques and synthetic chemistry, they aim to understand how these drugs work and how they can be made more effective against malaria. This research is crucial as it addresses the growing resistance to current malaria treatments and seeks to provide better options for prevention and treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in malaria-endemic regions who are at risk of contracting malaria.

Not a fit: Patients who do not live in malaria-endemic areas or those who are not at risk of malaria infection may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective antimalarial drugs that can combat malaria more efficiently and reduce the burden of the disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in developing new antimalarials targeting different life stages of the malaria parasite, indicating a promising avenue for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.