- Dr. Reddy’s, Aurigene, and Kainomyx have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop an affordable anti-malarial drug targeting vulnerable populations.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. and its CRDMO arm Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Ltd. have entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with U.S.-based Kainomyx, Inc. to develop and commercialize a new anti-malarial drug. The collaboration seeks to address the global health challenge posed by malaria, particularly in low-income countries.
The MoU outlines that Kainomyx will lead the technical strategy and drug discovery efforts, while Aurigene will focus on developing cost-effective and scalable chemistry for the drug. Dr. Reddy’s will contribute its expertise in regulatory affairs and market access to ensure the drug reaches those in need across the U.S., Europe, and low and middle-income countries. This partnership remains subject to the signing of a definitive agreement.
Malaria continues to be a significant global health issue, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths in 2022. The collaboration between these companies aims to accelerate the development of innovative and affordable treatments to combat the disease, particularly as climate change may exacerbate the spread of vector-borne diseases.
Deepak Sapra, CEO of API and Services at Dr. Reddy’s, commented, “Public health and access is a strategic area for us, and malaria continues to be a very important disease that needs innovative as well as affordable medicines. The MoU with Kainomyx is a promising step in that direction and towards improving global health outcomes.”
Akhil Ravi, CEO of Aurigene, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting the shared vision of addressing global health issues, especially in neglected populations. James Spudich, Executive Chairman of Kainomyx, highlighted the importance of new drug discovery for malaria, as resistance to existing treatments is rapidly developing.
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