Genetically Modified Chicory Brings Hope to African Malaria Patients

WAGENINGEN, the Netherlands, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Dafra Pharma has commissioned Plant Research International (PRI) to begin new research into optimising the production method of artemisinin via genetically modified chicory plants. The aim of the research is to realize inexpensive, large-scale production of artemisinin under controllable conditions. Artemisinin is a basic raw material used in ACTs (Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies), the latest generation and most effective antimalarial treatment according to the WHO.

Malaria and ACTs

According to WHO, some 300 to 500 million cases of malaria and Some 1.5 to 2 million deaths occur annually due to malaria worldwide, of which 90% in Africa. Every 30 seconds one child dies of malaria in Africa.

And yet malaria is perfectly treatable. Rapid diagnosis and treatment with an ACT can conquer the disease before it becomes life-threatening. Since the malaria parasite has become resistant to the older, more conventional antimalarial treatments, such as chloroquine, SP etc, WHO recommends ACTs as the first-line treatment in African countries. However, artemisinin is an expensive plant extract, which means that an ACT can currently easily cost 10 times more than treatment with, say, chloroquine. ACTs are very expensive for African patients. This means that the price of ACTs - and therefore the price of artemisinin - needs to drop sharply.

Biosynthetic production of artemisinin via plants

Earlier research done by Dafra Pharma (Belgian pharmaceutical company that is private market leader in Afrika for ACT's) and Plant Research International (PRI) (University of Wageningen, the Netherlands) showed in a wide range of plant species that the diversion of the biosynthesis of the enzymes in chicory, involved in the production of the bitter compounds, can be carried out very efficiently.

New research by PRI, also commissioned by Dafra Pharma, now aims to examine how the artemisinin precursor (dihydroartemisininic acid) can be optimally extracted from the chicory root. With its chemical experience and know-how, Dafra Pharma can, after extraction, convert the precursor into artemisinin, which can be used to produce ACTs.

Industrial scaling-up for a humane cause

To free Africa from malaria - the slogan for World Malaria Day 2007 - some 400 million treatments per year will be needed. Accordingly, PRI and Dafra Pharma will continue their close cooperation in the optimization of the biosynthesis technology for the industrial production of artemisinin.

PRI and Dafra Pharma have opted to use inuline chicory as artemisinin production platform. The advantage of this industrial (i.e. non-food) crop is that the entire chain - from large-scale agricultural production up to and including extraction - is already in place in both Belgium and the Netherlands.

Dr FH Jansen, R&D Manager at Dafra Pharma, states it must the objective of Dafra Pharma to achieve inexpensive, large-scale industrial production of artemisinin via chicory roots in 3 to 5 years time.

This new inexpensive basic raw material should enable Dafra Pharma International to bring future ACTs to market at a price of half a dollar per adult antimalarial treatment.

Dafra Pharma Ltd

Dafra Pharma is a Belgian family-owned pharmaceutical company and is the private-sector market leader across Africa for artemisinin-based combination antimalarial therapies. Dafra Pharma has built up a unique distribution and promotional network in 36 African countries with currently more than 120 local African medical representatives. Since its founding in 1997, Dafra Pharma has focused on research and development in medicines for "neglected tropical diseases", such as malaria, sleeping sickness, schistosomiasis, TBC, leishmaniasis and others.

Plant Research International

Plant Research International is part of Wageningen UR (Netherlands) and is the most important Dutch research institute for scientific research on plants. The institute develops and uses genetic modification for research on sustainable agriculture, healthy food and a safe environment.