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New compounds (squaramide based) against Chagas and Leishmania

Country of Origin: Spain
Reference Number: TOES20170921001
Publication Date: 21 September 2017

Summary

A multidisciplinary university research group has patented a new family of compounds with antiparasitic properties. These compounds are more stable, less toxic and cheaper to produce than the drugs currently used. Companies in the pharmaceutical or the veterinary sector interested in a patent license or in a research or technical cooperation agreement for developing and validating the product as antiparasitic are being sought.

Description

Chagas and Leishmania diseases caused by protozoan parasites are a paradigmatic example of an extended parasitemia with unmet medical needs. Current treatments based on old-featured benznidazole and nifurtimox are expensive and do not fulfil the criteria of effectivity and lack of toxicity devoid to modern drugs.



As a result of the multidisciplinary cooperation between chemical and parasitologist researchers of two Spanish universities, a new family of aminosquaramide compounds with demonstrated in vivo activity against Chagas and Leshmania diseases has been developed. The chemical stability of these compounds together with the use of affordable starting products, and the lack of synthetic complexity put amino squaramides in the pole position toward the development of true low cost anti-parasitic agents.



The main application of the technology is a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of human/animal parasitic diseases.



The researchers have determined the biological activity and the curative effects on murine models, but the next steps to be taken in the project are the hit to lead process, the target validation and the toxicological and ADME profile determination. Companies interested in advancing the project for developing the new antiparasitic product -through a licence or a research or technical cooperation agreement, are being sought.

Advantages and Innovations

The main advantages are their low toxicity in front of Vero cells and high effectivity ratios against the epimastigote and amastigote forms of the parasites. Also, the remarkable decrease (>97%) in the reactivation of parasitemia in the chronic phase after immunosuppression in mice and their chemical stability, affordable starting materials and straightforward synthesis.

Stage Of Development

Under development/lab tested

Stage Of Development Comment

The biological activity and the curative effects on murine models have been determined.   What is lacking: 

- Hit to lead process

- Target validation

- Toxicological and ADME profile

Requested partner

Company in the pharmaceutical area for parasitic diseases, for licensing the invention or interested in a research or technical cooperation agreement.