Tackling the malaria pathogen P. falciparum has been complex, due to rapid development of resistance. A new compound targets liver stages of the parasite and, thus, provides a new mode of action to reduce the population of the parasite.

It’s no easy task to develop medications that are effective and safe to use. The pharmaceutical industry loses billions every year due to safety-related attrition during the drug discovery process. For both patients and companies, improving productivity in the area would bring significant benefits. Now novel biomarkers designed to better detect and manage drug-induced organ injury – both preclinically and clinically – could make the process faster, safer and cheaper. tg