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Technology Overview
OHSU # 3147 — Malaria transmission blocking using ELQ-infused bed nets
Summary
Insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets reduce the transmission of malaria, but mosquitos have developed resistance to insecticides leading to reduced efficacy. Our new technology is a chemical solution for mosquito nets that kills malaria, is less prone to drug-resistance and is not toxic to humans.
Technology Overview
Insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets are an effective strategy to decrease the spread of malaria. However, insecticides can be toxic to humans, and mosquitoes have developed resistance to these compounds over time. Additionally, drug resistance developed by the malaria parasite is the biggest obstacle to completely eradicating malaria. Novel endochin-like quinolones (ELQs) kill the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria, instead of the mosquito. This approach limits the evolutionary pressures on the mosquito that lead to insect drug resistance and targets a parasite enzyme that does not tolerate resistance mutations when the parasite is in the mosquito.
A collaborative research program between Harvard University, Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland Veteran’s Affairs Hospital has identified ELQs as a coating solution for mosquito bed nets. Important features include:
- Effective elimination of parasites following physical contact with mosquitos.
- Reduced risk of parsite drug-resistance based on the drug target and potential for drug combinations.
- Reduced risk of mosquito drug-resistance.
- Limited human toxicity due to rapid human metabolism of ELQs to inactive components.
Licensing Opportunity
This technology is available for licensing.
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