Immtech licenses anti-malarial drug candidate from Tulane University

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., Feb. 10 - Immtech International, Inc. said Tulane University has granted Immtech an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize a class of aminoquinoline drugs for treatment, prophylaxis and diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Included in the class of aminoquinoline drug candidates is the lead compound called AQ13, targeted as a candidate for treatment of and prophylaxis for malaria, according to a company news release. Malaria causes millions of deaths each year, and it affects mostly young children and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa.

In a human phase 1 trial, AQ13 was shown to be well tolerated. Preclinical analysis indicated that AQ13 is highly active against Plasmodium falciparum, the most severe form of malaria.

Immtech said it plans to begin clinical development of AQ13 upon receipt of funding from an unspecified foundation.

"AQ13 shows significant promise in fighting malaria and is an excellent partner for combination therapy studies with our next generation compounds," Immtech vice president, licensing and commercial development, Daniel M. Schmitt said in the release.

The anti-malaria drug market is focused on 2.6 billion people living in Africa, Asia and South America, as well as about 125 million international travelers who require prophylaxis when visiting countries where malaria is endemic, the company said.

Tulane University is a leading private research institution located in New Orleans.

Immtech, a Vernon Hills, Ill.-based pharmaceutical company, develops and commercializes drugs to treat infectious diseases.

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