RS(+) isomer of mefloquine believed to have fewer side effects.
Sosei Group has out-licensed its IP relating to the RS(+) isomer of mefloquine to Treague, for the treatment and prophylaxis of malaria.
Mefloquine is a antimalarial drug that is approved in its racemic form for both treatment (in combination with artesunate) and prophylaxis (as monotherapy) of malaria. Though its efficacy and long half-life make racemic mefloquine a particularly attractive antimalarial drug, its clinical utility has been compromised by CNS side effects, according to the companies. They believe, based on the stereoselective nature of mefloquine’s receptor binding, that RS(+) mefloquine has the potential for substantially reduced CNS side effect liability.
Treague is collaborating with Medicines for Malaria Venture, a Geneva-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing the burden of malaria, to develop RS(+) mefloquine for the treatment of malaria in malaria endemic countries.
