Calibr-Skaggs and Kainomyx join forces to accelerate development of antimalarial drugs

The Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines at Scripps Research and Kainomyx, Inc., today announced a new research collaboration to accelerate the discovery and development of next-generation antimalarial drugs. This partnership, supported by the Gates Foundation, brings together Calibr-Skaggs' world-class drug discovery platform and Kainomyx's innovative focus on cytoskeletal targets in the Plasmodium species of the parasite that are responsible for the deadliest form of malaria.

Meeting the unmet need in malaria

Malaria remains one of the world's most devastating infectious diseases, with over 280 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths annually, disproportionately affecting children and vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of P. falciparum threatens to undermine current therapies, highlighting the urgent need for new medicines with novel mechanisms of action. "The fight against malaria is at a critical juncture," said Case McNamara, senior director of infectious disease at Calibr-Skaggs. "We need to stay ahead of resistance by identifying and advancing compounds with entirely new mechanisms. Our collaboration with Kainomyx is designed to do just that: by targeting the parasite's cytoskeleton, we open up a new front in the battle against this disease."

Calibr-Skaggs' track record and commitment

Calibr-Skaggs has a proven track record in translational drug discovery. The institute's unique nonprofit model and integrated approach have enabled the advancement of over a dozen drug candidates into the clinic, including promising antimalarial agents.

Our mission is to translate scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions for those most in need. Collaborations like this are essential to succeed in the global effort to eradicate malaria."

Anil Gupta, director of medicinal chemistry at Calibr-Skaggs

Kainomyx: Innovation in cytoskeletal biology

Kainomyx, a pioneering biotechnology company, brings deep expertise in the identification, expression, purification and structural analysis of cytoskeletal proteins in various parasites. By leveraging advanced biochemical and biophysical techniques, Kainomyx has developed a robust platform for discovering small molecules that disrupt the parasite's cytoskeleton-a strategy with the potential to yield first-in-class antimalarial drugs.

"At Kainomyx, we are passionate about translating fundamental insights in cytoskeletal biology into transformative therapies," said James Spudich, co-founder of Kainomyx. Spudich was also a co-founder of Cytokinetics ($CYTK) and MyoKardia (now BMS), two innovative companies with FDA-approved drugs targeting cytoskeletal proteins for the treatment of muscle diseases.

"Partnering with Calibr-Skaggs allows us to combine our strengths in target biology, biochemical and cellular assay development, and structural analysis with their world-leading medicinal chemistry and screening capabilities. Together, we are poised to make a real impact on global health," said Darshan Trivedi, co-founder and president of Kainomyx.

Synergy for accelerated drug discovery to benefit global health

Under the terms of the agreement, Kainomyx will provide expertise and materials related to cytoskeletal protein targets, as well as high-resolution structural studies and parasite-specific biochemical, cellular and selectivity assays. Calibr-Skaggs will lead medicinal chemistry efforts, synthesis and high-throughput screening of compound libraries. Both organizations will jointly advance promising hits through the drug discovery pipeline, with a shared commitment to open publication and global access.

"Our mission at Kainomyx is to harness the power of cytoskeletal science to address urgent global health challenges. Working with Calibr-Skaggs and with support from the Gates Foundation, we have an unprecedented opportunity to bring new hope to millions at risk of malaria," said Spudich.

"By combining Calibr-Skaggs' translational drug discovery engine with Kainomyx's innovative cytoskeletal biology, we are uniquely positioned to deliver new solutions for malaria. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to partnerships that drive impact for patients worldwide," said Arnab Chatterjee, vice president of medicinal chemistry, Calibr-Skaggs.