New antimalarial drug candidate reaches early clinical milestone

A new antimalarial drug candidate showing encouraging early clinical results is demonstrating how Australia’s national research infrastructure is helping move promising discoveries closer to new treatments.

Findings from two early clinical studies show the drug candidate is well tolerated in humans and achieves blood concentration levels consistent with its intended antimalarial effect, supporting progression to later-stage clinical evaluation. The trials were led by global pharmaceuticals company MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA) in collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI).

The investigational compound, MK-7602, progressed to Phase 1 clinical trials following its initial identification at the National Drug Discovery Centre at WEHI, a facility supported by Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA) through NCRIS – National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

From screening to clinical development

MK-7602 emerged from a medicinal chemistry program built on initial “hits” identified through screening at the NDDC. These early discoveries were further developed through a long-standing collaboration between WEHI and MSD, enabling the design and optimisation of a compound suitable for clinical testing.

The program, led by Professor Alan Cowman and Dr David Olsen and their teams, has been supported by MSD and the Wellcome Trust.

Professor Cowman described the NDDC screening as a turning point in the research: “The NDDC screen was the breakthrough moment that transformed our approach and accelerated our research effort… ultimately resulting in this new drug candidate.”

Addressing a persistent global challenge

Malaria remains a leading cause of preventable illness and death worldwide, with the emergence of drug-resistant parasites continuing to complicate efforts to control and eliminate the disease.

MK-7602 targets the two most prevalent malaria parasites in humans, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. By blocking two essential parasite enzymes, it introduces a dual-action mechanism designed to improve effectiveness while reducing the risk of resistance.

National capability enabling progress

Established in 2020, the NDDC was supported by the Medical Research Future Fund, the Victorian Government, philanthropic partners, and TIA.

As part of Australia’s national research infrastructure ecosystem, the facility provides access to industrial-scale screening technologies that are critical for early-stage drug discovery.

The progression of MK-7602 from initial screening through to early clinical trials, illustrates how coordinated investment in infrastructure, combined with collaboration between academia and industry, can help translate innovative science into potential new therapies.

Supporting the next steps

While still in early clinical development, MK-7602 represents a promising step toward new antimalarial treatments.

More broadly, the program demonstrates how sustained investment in national capabilities, combined with strong collaboration between academia, industry and funding partners, can help advance new therapies targeting major global health challenges.