India-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and its CRDMO company Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services have teamed up with Kainomyx to develop an affordable anti-malarial drug.
Kainomyx is a US-based pharmaceutical company that has developed an in-house platform that helps target cytoskeletal proteins of parasites, a novel mechanism of action.
The three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and market a new anti-malarial drug in the US, Europe, and low- and middle-income countries.
Under the MoU, which is subject to the signing of a definitive agreement, Kainomyx will lead the technical strategy and other aspects of drug discovery and development in different phases.
Aurigene will develop cost-effective and scalable drug chemistry, and Dr. Reddy’s will leverage its regulatory and market access expertise, as the program evolves.
Kainomyx executive chairman James Spudich said: “New drug discovery for Malaria and other parasitic diseases is essential because drug resistance to existing therapeutics is rapidly developing.
“Through our decades of work, we have developed a deep understanding of how cytoskeletal proteins work. Cytoskeletal proteins are essential for all living organisms, and we are exploiting this to specifically target the cytoskeleton for treatment of Malaria.
“I am delighted that in our molecules’ journey to market we will be forming a partnership with Dr. Reddy’s and Aurigene who have demonstrated their experience and expertise through their work in public health.”
Malaria is a serious public health issue that is disproportionately prevalent in vulnerable populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
According to WHO, 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 cases of malaria deaths were reported in 2022.
Under the collaboration, the companies will leverage their strengths to advance the research and development program, said the Indian drugmaker.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories API and services CEO Deepak Sapra said: “Public health and access is a strategic area for us and malaria continues to be a very important disease that needs innovative as well as affordable medicines.
“The MoU with Kainomyx is a promising step in that direction and towards improving global health outcomes and delivering on Dr. Reddy’s vision to reach 1.5 billion patients by 2030.”
Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services CEO Akhil Ravi said: “We are excited to collaborate with Dr. James and the Kainomyx team given their expertise in bringing innovative medicines to market. We share the same vision of addressing global health issues by serving neglected populations.”
