[Malaria]   [more about the Malaria project]   [WHO press release]

A CURE FOR MALARIA Malaria is one of the biggest health risks in the world. More than half the world population lives in areas affected with the disease. Yearly one to three million people die as a result of the disease, most of them children below the age of five. For decades work has been carried out for the development of preventive treatments, so far to no avail. The best available cure comes from the plant Arthemisia Annua, which grows on a limited scale in some parts of China and Vietnam. In the roll back malaria partnership decision makers from around the globe expressed their willingness to wipe-out malaria. GenoClipp Biotechnology B.V. is developing a production platform for terpenoids based on the micro-organism Blakeslea as expression vector. One of its patents regards the gene for Artemisinin. Via Flaminia has been asked to search for a corporate sponsor who wishes to support the maintenance of the patent and research project until adequate funding from the WHO is provided. If the patent is not maintained no manufacturer will invest in the development of this artemisinin based medicine and thus for ever depriving millions of a cure for malaria.