# Kinase Targeted Antimalarial Agents

> **NIH NIH R44** · LUCEOME BIOTECHNOLOGIES, LLC · 2021 · $798,586

## Abstract

Project Summary
The genome of Plasmodium falciparum, the species responsible for most mortality in malaria, is
predicted to encode 86-99 protein kinases. Of these, 36 kinases are expressed in the asexual
stage of the parasite’s life-cycle, which is responsible for the pathology associated with the
disease. Using our proprietary KinaseSeeker technology, we have recently developed assays
against 11 Plasmodium falciparum kinases, which are expressed in the asexual stage. Screening
a small-molecule kinase inhibitor library has revealed several chemically tractable chemotypes
that bind P. falciparum kinases with sub-micromolar affinity.
In this application, using a target-based approach, we aim to utilize the chemotypes identified
from our screening data, as starting points for development of potent and selective antimalarial
agents. In addition, we will use the already commercialized P. falciparum kinase assays, to
identify targets for potential kinase inhibitors that have been shown to be active in phenotypic
screens against the parasite. The different series of compounds will then be further optimized for
potency and selectivity to deliver leads for new antimalarials and improve human health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10071134
- **Project number:** 5R44AI150237-02
- **Recipient organization:** LUCEOME BIOTECHNOLOGIES, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** REENA ZUTSHI
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $798,586
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-16 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10071134

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10071134, Kinase Targeted Antimalarial Agents (5R44AI150237-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10071134. Licensed CC0.

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