Antimalarial Korupensamines And Pharmaceutical Compositions And Medical Uses Thereof
Description of Invention:
The class of compounds known as korupensamines exhibit in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity and offer a potent new means for treating and controlling this devastating disease. As many as 2-3 million people worldwide die from malaria each year, and many more suffer from long-term chronic infection. The deadliest malarial parasites have become resistant to previously effective antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine and other clinically useful agents; therefore, effective new antimalarial drugs are urgently needed. These korupensamine compounds, which are isolated from a new species of the plant genus Ancistrocladus which is found in tropical Africa and southern and southeast Asia, effectively inhibit the growth, reproduction, and pathologic effects of a broad spectrum of Plasmodia parasites when given alone or in conjunction with previously available antimalarial agents. Licensees of this invention will be required to comport with all applicable federal and country-of-collection policies relating to biodiversity.
Inventors:
Michael R. Boyd (NCI) et al.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-096-1994/0 --
U.S. Patent 5,409,938 issued on 25 Apr 1995
