# Discovery of Small Molecules as Antimalarial Agents

> **NIH NIH R43** · CASCADE THERAPEUTICS, INC. · 2021 · $256,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 The proposed research focuses on the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of
malaria caused by P. falciparum. Preliminary studies have discovered novel natural product and derivative
molecules with potent in vitro activity against both sensitive and multidrug resistant malaria strains including
a newly emerging artemisinin resistant parasite line. New compounds are low in toxicity and possess good
therapeutic indice. This SBIR Phase I project aims to obtain proof of concept in vivo PK, efficacy, and
toxicity data. Studies include: (I) Scale up isolation and purification of natural product and synthesis of
derivative compounds; (II) Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies; (III) In vivo efficacy studies in SCID mouse P.
falciparum model; (IV) In vivo evaluation for acute and sub-acute toxicity, developmental toxicity, and
neurotoxicity. The novelty of the project is the discovery of new molecular entities. The project involves
standard approaches to drug development, but the multidisciplinary team that has been assembled will
accelerate the generation of preclinical candidates.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10312722
- **Project number:** 1R43AI164621-01
- **Recipient organization:** CASCADE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Shuren Zhu
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $256,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-05-20 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10312722

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10312722, Discovery of Small Molecules as Antimalarial Agents (1R43AI164621-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10312722. Licensed CC0.

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