#Jonathan Vennerstrom

[rookiejournalist-blog]

Breakthrough in Anti-Malarial Drug

                 Having studied malaria—a mosquito-borne, parasitic disease—for more than 25 years, Professor Jonathan Vennerstrom's research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has clearly paid off. From 2000 to 2010, Vennerstrom led a team of international scientists in creating a drug compound that paved way to the latest breakthrough in anti-malarial medication yet. Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a non-profit organization in Geneva, Switzerland, made the research possible by funding the team with more than $12 million in grants. "We were very fortunate to receive the support for our project from MMV," Dr. Vennerstrom stated in gratitude. "It is always unpredictable whether or not a drug candidate will be successful." Called SynriamTM, the drug has recently been approved for treatment in adults in India where the disease kills more than 200,000 people each year. In comparison to traditional drugs used in treating malaria, Synriam is believed to produce fewer side effects and is not required to be taken with food. Most importantly, it is proved to be more effective against malaria due to the disease's procured resistance to past medications over the years. “With more than 200 million cases of malaria each year, the potential impact this drug could have on saving and improving lives worldwide is significant,” claimed Dr. Vennerstrom. “That’s been our goal and now we are at the finish line." Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Limited, the same company that developed Synriam, is working to conceive a formula compatible with children as well as expanding the drug's availability to Africa, Asia, and South America. Also developed by Vennerstrom and his team, a second and even more efficient drug candidate is currently being tested in Bangkok, Thailand. With this drug placed into examination and another already put to use throughout India, the future is certainly looking bright in the battle against malaria.