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International Malaria Research Consortium Combines Technologies and Expertise

From Two Continents to Tackle Deadly Disease

Research teams from three academic institutions and two private sector companies on two continents have

ome together to form the International Malaria Research Consortium for the development of novel classes of

ntimalarials, (the Consortium) a bold initiative to develop novel classes of drugs against malaria, a deadly

isease in desperate need of new treatments.

Each of the Consortiums five partners brings unique capabilities spanning the spectrum from academic

esearch to commercial development, and significantly - their existing technologies to the table. Through anxtensive program design process, the parties hit upon unique combinations of these existing technologies that,

ombined with new drugs to be developed under the program, represent entirely new approaches to treating and

otentially even eradicating this disease.

It was a fascinating process to see different organizations with deep knowledge in their individual fieldsoming together and combining this knowledge to create innovative new approaches to the treatment of this

disease Prof. Virander Chauhan, Director, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology-New Delhi

Creative leverage is a term that comes to mind in describing this program. Iin addition to developing new

herapeutics, we are also bringing together existing technologies developed by the partners and combininghem in new ways such that one will have the potential to boost the effectiveness of another. Dr. Lakshmi P.

Kotra, Director, Center for Molecular Design and Preformulations, University Health Network and Universityf Toronto.

n a field that has seen very few new drugs introduced in the past 30 years, and where most of these drugs haveost effectiveness due to the emergence of drug resistant malaria strains, this program endeavors to develop

ntirely new classes of drugs, and furthermore will seek to develop drugs that, by their design, will hinder the

mergence of drug resistance.

With funding from the International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada Inc. (ISTPCanada) and the

Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India, these new therapies will be developed andefined. Led by the site directors of each partner, Lakshmi Kotra at University Health Network/University of

Toronto (Consortium lead in Canada), David Bell at Therapure Biopharma, Jitendra Verma at Lifecare

nnovations, Asif Mohammed at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Consortium lead in India), and R. Mahesh at Birla Institute of Technology and Science, this program bringsogether a dynamic and talented groups of world-class scientists for a common cause of advancing basic

esearch discoveries to preclinical development. This consortium brings their combined drug development

xpertise to the discovery and development of new compounds against targets in the parasite that causes

malaria.

Current projects include the development of drugs against three malaria targets that the academic groups have

esearched extensively. This research is combined with the state-of-the-art tools and expertise in computermodeling, medicinal chemistry, nanoformulations and drug conjugation technologies from the consortium

partners to advance potential drugs into IND enabling studies. The consortium has already made excellent

rogress since its activities started in April, 2010 and looking to expand the scope of the efforts with additionalartners to advance the mission to develop clinically viable new antimalarials.

One example of this technology combination process is embodied in an objective to treat a form of malaria thatesides in the liver. This form of the disease can re-emerge months or years after the initial infection to cause

ew illnesses in that individual. Additionally this form of the disease can re-introduce malaria into local

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opulations where it had previously been eliminated - frustrating permanent eradication efforts. To tackle thisroblem the program will combine new drugs developed with existing technologies designed to deliver drugs to

he liver in an effective form.

Other technology harnessed under the program will allow antimalarial drugs to be released slowly over long

periods of time. This slow release gives the potential for a one pill cure, a long sought after goal in anti-

malarial drug development programs as it would allow the most effective utilization of often limited medicalesources.

Malaria is one of humanities most devastating illnesses with an estimated 247 million cases worldwide in 2008nd almost one million deaths, mostly among children. In Africa a child dies every 45 seconds of Malaria andhe disease accounts for 20% of all childhood deaths. Furthermore drug resistance is steadily undermining the

ffectiveness of existing treatments - driving the need for new therapies.

About Therapure Biopharma :-

Therapure Biopharma Inc. is an integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, purifies,nd packages therapeutic Protein Characterization. Therapure Biopharma is also a specialist in therapies

erived from hemoglobin, a blood protein. As a Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturers Therapure

Biopharma applies scientific, manufacturing, and downstream Purification of Protein expertise with an

ntimate understanding of advanced biology, complex proteins, and regulatory processes to develop effectivend innovative solutions to advance products from discovery to market.

About University Health Network :-

University Health Network consists of Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals. The

cope of research and complexity of cases at University Health Network has made it a national andnternational source for discovery, education and patient care. It has the largest hospital-based research program

n Canada, with major research in cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation,

nfectious diseases, and genomic medicine. University Health Network is a research and teaching hospitalffiliated with the University of Toronto.

About International Centre for Genetic Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB) :-

The ICGEB is an autonomous, intergovernmental organization with its headquarters in Trieste, Italy and two

ther components in New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa; in addition, ICGEB currently has 57 full

Member countries. The ICGEB provides a scientific and educational environment of the highest standard andonducts innovative research in life sciences for the benefit of developing countries. It strengthens the research

apability of its members through training and funding programs and advisory services and represents a

omprehensive approach to promoting biotechnology internationally.

About Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) :-

The Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani is an all-India Institute for Higher Education. The

esearch group at BITS has expertise in synthetic chemistry and drug delivery areas with a strong track record

f research in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery related areas.

About Lifecare Innovations :-

Lifecare Innovations is an R&D intensive company specializing in controlled release pharmaceuticalsmploying an array of novel drug delivery technologies. Lifecare Innovations is engaged in the development of

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umber of these controlled release drugs in collaboration with national institutions. These are under varioustages of development. Predominant among these are a range of antifungals. In addition, in-house developments

or commercialization of technologies have led to the successful launch of several drugs in the market by

Lifecare Innovations.

By : Therapure Biopahrma Biotech Manufacturing

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