Novel Peptide Targeting for Malaria Therapeutic Applications
JHU REF: C12845
Invention Novelty: Use of Plasmodium-derived peptides to reduce red blood cell invasion of Plasmodium parasites for the prevention and treatment of malaria
Value Proposition: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. In order to induce fatal symptoms of malaria, the parasite must complete its lifecycle by invading and replicating in different host cells. Because of parasites complicated lifecycle, there are currently no FDA approved malaria vaccines available. Emergence of drug resistant strains and insecticide resistant mosquitos make the disease difficult to control with currently available treatments. This technology uses peptides for a parasite secreted enzyme critical for host cell invasion to induce antibody production against the protein and inhibit parasite invasion of host cells. Advantages include:
- Provides a new candidate for malaria vaccines
- Peptide sequences could potentially be used in conjunctions with proteins from other viruses that are currently used for vaccination
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers identified and synthesized two peptide sequences of a protease critical for invasion by Plasmodium-derived parasites. Mice immunized with the peptides showed a delayed onset of the disease, low parasite content in the blood and increased survival compared to controls.
Looking for Partners: To develop and commercialize the technology as a vaccine candidate for malaria
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: animal data
Patent Status: pending
Publication(s)/Associated Cases: PMC4248431; WO 2015187652 A1
Categories: Therapeutic
Keywords: Subtilisin 2, Plasmodium, Anopheles gambiae, Malaria
