Once-month protection and fast treatment for malaria using next-generation ELQ medicines
Next Generation ELQs for Treatment and Once-Monthly Protection Against Malaria
['FUNDING_R01'] · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11324185
A new ELQ-based medicine is being developed to quickly treat malaria infections and to offer once-a-month protection for people living in or traveling to high-risk areas.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PORTLAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11324185 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The research team is optimizing ELQ compounds (including a prodrug called ELQ-331) to target malaria parasites in both the blood and liver stages, and to improve how the drug is absorbed and lasts in the body. They are using chemical modification and bioavailability testing, along with laboratory and animal studies, to create a long-acting formulation that could be dosed monthly. The goal is a medicine that acts rapidly for case management and also provides extended chemoprevention to protect people entering or living in high-transmission areas. Work also looks at killing parasites in the mosquito stage to reduce transmission risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who live in or plan to travel to areas with high malaria transmission and those at risk for Plasmodium falciparum exposure.
Not a fit: People without malaria exposure risk, those with infections caused by non-malarial organisms, or individuals who cannot safely take the medicine (for example due to allergies or other medical contraindications) would not directly benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce a fast-acting treatment plus a once-month dose that prevents malaria infection and helps protect people during high-risk travel or seasonal outbreaks.
How similar studies have performed: Existing drugs like atovaquone plus proguanil are used for treatment and prevention, and early lab and animal studies of ELQ compounds have shown promising anti-malarial activity, but human testing has not yet established effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
PORTLAND, UNITED STATES
- OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY — PORTLAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: RISCOE, MICHAEL KEVIN — OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: RISCOE, MICHAEL KEVIN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.