#Japan #Chiyoda #Elpixel #Medicines for Malaria Venture #University of Dundee

Introduction

The battle against malaria continues to be a significant public health challenge, with approximately 263 million new cases and 597,000 fatalities reported in 2023. The rise of drug-resistant strains in Southeast Asia and East Africa further jeopardizes efforts to control and eradicate this deadly disease. In response to these challenges, a collaborative project involving the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), the University of Dundee (UoD), and Elpixel Inc., has recently been endorsed by the GHIT Fund to develop a novel platform utilizing AI-driven Cell Painting assays for analyzing the mechanisms of action (MoA) of malaria compounds.

The Project Overview

The project aims to harness the power of the Cell Painting technique, which utilizes images of stained malaria-infected cells to understand the biological impacts of various compounds. This innovative approach allows researchers to visualize cellular structures and organelles, quantifying their characteristics to swiftly identify MoAs. By applying this technology, the project strives to accelerate the research and development of new antimalarial drugs.

Addressing a Critical Need

In recent years, the emergence of resistance to the commonly used antimalarial drug artemisinin and its derivatives underscores the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies unaffected by existing resistance mechanisms. This project seeks to establish the Cell Painting platform as a cornerstone for profiling the MoAs of antimalarial compounds, enabling researchers to focus on priority compound series that exhibit distinct MoAs compared to current treatments.

Through this platform, the project envisions streamlining the drug discovery process, reducing the time and costs associated with elucidating the MoAs of hit compounds identified through high-throughput screening. By integrating advanced techniques in parasitology, imaging, and AI analysis, the team aims to innovate the methods through which the effectiveness of new drugs can be evaluated.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

The endeavor is spearheaded by a cross-disciplinary team with expertise in drug discovery research, malaria parasitology, high-content imaging, and AI image analysis. This collaborative effort focuses on performing phenotypic analyses to assess the biological impacts of compounds on malaria parasites, ultimately leading to the development of MoA classification techniques for antimalarial compounds. MMV leads the curation of a diverse range of compounds with different MoAs, while the University of Dundee optimizes parasite culture, compound processing, and high-content imaging and analysis. Elpixel is tasked with developing AI models to categorize MoAs and implement them on a cloud platform.

Conclusion

The innovative approach outlined in this project leverages cutting-edge technology and the expertise of the partners involved, contributing significantly to the evolution of drug discovery methodologies in the fight against malaria. By focusing on the biological evaluation of antimalarial compounds through phenotypic screening, the project not only aims to contribute to the scientific community but also to enhance the global fight against this devastating disease.
For detailed insights regarding this project, please refer to the press release by Medicines for Malaria Venture.

About MMV

The Medicines for Malaria Venture is a Swiss non-profit organization committed to delivering a portfolio of medicines for the treatment, prevention, and eradication of malaria. Visit MMV's website for more information.

About GHIT Fund

The GHIT Fund is an international organization supporting the development of medical products targeting diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases. Learn more at GHIT Fund's website.

Elpixel’s Role in Drug Discovery

Elpixel Inc. specializes in image analysis for the life sciences, applying AI technology to address challenges in medical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural fields. Their proprietary AI image analysis tools, ‘EIRL’ and ‘IMACEL’, are pivotal in advancing drug discovery and life sciences research. For further details, visit Elpixel's corporate site.

For inquiries, please contact Elpixel's PR team at [email protected] or call 03-6259-1713.