Penn Pharma wins malaria drug contract

publication date: Nov 11, 2008

Leading global bioscience company, Penn Pharma, has won a contract to manufacture a new anti-malarial drug for use in clinical trials. Currently named OZ439, this drug shows great promise against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Through a competitive pitch, Penn was awarded the project by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a Swiss not-for-profit organisation that brings public and private sector partners together to develop effective and affordable anti-malarial drugs.

From December, Penn will start work on developing and manufacturing capsule and tablet formulations of OZ439, which will be used in clinical trials in the US from 2009 and then in Africa and Asia. 

Peter George, CEO of Penn Pharma, said, “To be involved with such a significant project from a major organisation to help in fighting a world-disease is a great win for Penn. It’s very motivational for our staff that Penn has been awarded this contract and we look forward to working with MMV and contributing to the development of a drug that has the potential to make a positive difference to millions of people on a global scale.”

Malaria is a huge public health problem in over 90 countries, inhabited by more than 2.4 billion people - 40% of the world’s population. The disease is estimated to cause up to 250 million new infections annually; 800,000 people lose their lives to his dreaded disease each year, 85% of whom are children under five. A child dies every 30 seconds from malaria.

Apart from the heavy toll on life, malaria also constitutes a barrier to economic development in the highly endemic countries. Although the majority of cases and over 90% of deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, the disease is also prevalent in Asia and Latin America.

Tim Wells, chief scientific officer of MMV, said, “MMV expects an exciting outcome from OZ439 - possibly as part of the much sought-after single-dose oral cure for patients with uncomplicated malaria."

“However, there are many challenges to overcome before we know how effective the medicine will be in patients. Penn Pharma will manufacture the first lot of the drug to international standards for the first set of trials. We look forward to working with Penn, receiving a high quality product, and launching the Phase I clinical trials on time.”

www.pennpharm.co.uk