BASF and Two Collaborating Parties Behind Innovative Research for Malaria Control
The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), in partnership with BASF and Promega, collaborate to research and develop novel insect control tools to help combat mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria. Malaria affected an estimated 247 million people around the world in 2021.
The research, which is in its early stages, builds on previous studies in the field of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs). PROTACs are a promising new class of therapeutic small molecules which modulate protein degradation within a cell. “The emerging cutting-edge technology – with a unique mode of action – may have great potential as a new approach in the control of insect disease vectors,” said Dr. Harold Bastiaans, Vice President Global Research Insecticides at BASF Agricultural Solutions.
With the rise of PROTACs as promising anti-cancer therapeutics, we are excited to explore their potential application to degrade mosquito proteins as a method of insect control. Unlike conventional insecticides, PROTACs can be used to target and degrade proteins with precision. BASF will leverage its expertise in chemistry design and synthesis to provide potential PROTACs to target mosquito-specific proteins.
https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2023/08/p-23-280.html