# Boron-containing antimalarial drug discovery

> **NIH NIH R44** · REACTIVE BIOSCIENCES INC · 2024 · $464,495

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
New drugs to treat malaria, ideally with unique chemical structures and mechanisms of action, are urgently
needed. Optimal drug candidates for the treatment and prevention of malaria will have potent activity against
cultured parasites and in animal models of malaria, be rapidly active against erythrocytic malaria parasites, be
orally bioavailable, have extended pharmacological exposure, and be safe for administration to humans. This
application builds on prior studies by our group that identified benzoxaboroles as promising antimalarials and a
Phase I SBIR project between Reactive Biosciences and UCSF that identified two new series of boron-
containing compounds with potent antimalarial activity. Phase II of this program will allow us to execute a
thorough lead optimization program designed to deliver a candidate antimalarial compound that is potent,
orally bioavailable, and safe for use. Accordingly, our specific aims will be to: 1) optimize the antimalarial
activity and drug-like properties of lead boron-containing compounds, 2) characterize mechanisms of action
and resistance to drive lead optimization, 3) characterize the pharmacokinetic profiles, in vivo antimalarial
efficacy, and safety of optimized boron-containing antimalarials, and 4) advance an optimized boron-containing
compound to Candidate status.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10935978
- **Project number:** 5R44AI155112-04
- **Recipient organization:** REACTIVE BIOSCIENCES INC
- **Principal Investigator:** Steve Baker
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $464,495
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-08 → 2024-09-02

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10935978

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10935978, Boron-containing antimalarial drug discovery (5R44AI155112-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10935978. Licensed CC0.

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