Thailand's National Science and Technology Development Agency in a press conference on Monday announced its discovery of the P218 chemical, a new anti-malaria drug that is expected to go through pre-clinical trials before being manufactured.
The Thai researchers discovered the protein target responsible for the growth of the parasite's DNA.
By preventing growth of the protein target, the new anti-malarial P218 chemical aims stop the DNA of malaria parasites from replicating. The compound can also completely kill malaria parasites.
The chemical could replace pyrimethamine, the most commonly used antimalarial medication.
The pre-clinical trial is expected to take a year and a half to complete and the human trials will last three years.
Sumalee Kamchonwongpaisan, chief of the research and development team, expressed confidence in the next step of pre-clinical trials as local laboratory tests show no toxicity. If successful, it would take more than five years before the drug becomes publicly available.
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