Efficient Biosynthesis of Natural Potent Anti-Malarial Drug (Yissum)
- Summary
- Artemisinins, produced from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), are the only class of drugs against malaria to which there is no known resistance.
However, artemisinin levels in A. annua usually constitute only about 0.01% to 1% of the total dry weight of the plant, and since complete chemical synthesis of artemisinin is complex and inefficient, the drug is too expensive for most malaria sufferers in developing countries and is in short supply worldwide.
The World Health Organisation promotes the use of artemisinin for malaria treatment and has been heavily involved in aiding in the development of artemisinin-based anti-malaria drugs.Only demonstration of artemisinin production outside of host organism.
Authentic artemisinin accumulated in the engineered plants.
Genetically engineered tobacco is easily cultivated.
Efficient, low-cost system for producing artemisinin.
- Technology Benefits
- Globally, 247 million clinical episodes of malaria are estimated to occur every year
Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been recommended by WHO since 2001 as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria
- Application No.
- United States patent filed (61/486,546
- ID No.
- 6-2008-2099
- Country/Region
- Israel
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