Canada's Functional Technologies reports positive preclinical results of novel, yeast-based malaria treatment

In a second announcement last week of developments in the fight against malaria, Canadian firm Functional Technologies (TSX-V: FEB), in cooperation with University of Toronto scientists, revealed promising initial results of a revolutionary yeast-based approach for the treatment of malaria. A potential malaria treatment was also reported last week from work at the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (The Pharma Letter September 3).

In preclinical proof-of-concept tests involving four separate animal trials (mouse models), including one looking at uptake and three for potency, a positive effect against malaria was demonstrated using Functional Technologies' specifically enhanced yeast. Importantly, no toxicity was reported, even at 100 times the effective dosage.

In this novel approach to malaria treatment, the yeast is used both to produce and deliver a protein that neutralizes malarial parasites. After the protein-laden yeast is ingested, the active proteins bind to the parasites in the bloodstream, rendering them benign. In sharp contrast to conventional and widely used chemical treatments that often pose significant side effects for the patient, Functional Technologies' yeast application has not shown such side effects at the doses used in the preliminary mice studies, the Canadian firm noted. In the aforementioned mouse trials, the anti-malarial protein was detectable in the bloodstream after oral administration; the company believes this indicates the potential for an orally-applied product. Oral dosing is generally considered the most cost-effective, safe and convenient method available for treatment programs in impoverished countries.