2023-12-13 15:33:00

National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (NHS), and Mahidol University. Together with Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, and other allied agencies both domestically and abroad. worked together to develop a malaria drug that is effective once morest drug-resistant germs called “Antifolate” is a work that started from basic research until it became a drug called “P218”. In the next step, it will be developed until it can be registered as a drug formula. To produce and use in prevention and treatment This will be the first antimalarial drug that comes from the complete research and development of Thai people. In the first cooperation agreement, NSTDA will work with Mahidol University, which has the ability and track record in developing drugs for registration and entering the market for a long time. This cooperation will help Thailand have drug security. Help developing countries gain access to quality, low-cost antimalarial drugs. and help Thailand get closer to its goal of eliminating malaria from the country.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Yongyut Yuttawong, senior expert on malaria in Thailand, NSTDA, said malaria is still a big problem in the world. It kills more than 600,000 people a year. Thailand also faces this problem. The fighting in neighboring countries has led to a worrying increase in the number of patients. Treatment is difficult because the infection is often resistant to drugs. Therefore, it is a matter that must be found to solve the problem. By designing medicines that will work effectively Researchers at the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotech), NSTDA, have collaborated with various partner agencies both domestically and abroad to carry out research on malaria medicines for more than 30 years. The research team Protein-ligand engineering and molecular biology The Medical Molecular Biotechnology Research Group, BIOTECH, has been studying the structure of a target protein called DHFR, providing an understanding of changes in protein structure that cause drug resistance. Therefore, this knowledge has been used as a goal for drug development in collaboration with researchers from many countries around the world. Until it turned out to be the prototype antimalarial drug P218 that was published in 2013, which is the first antimalarial substance designed and synthesized by Thai researchers.

“The cooperation in pushing for the malaria drug P218 to become the first new drug from developing countries between Biotech, NSTDA and Mahidol will jointly conduct research and development to test the toxicity of P218 in animals. Experiment to test the efficacy of P218 at the clinical level. To predict the appropriate dose of P218 for effective treatment of malaria. By supporting resources, exchanging, and enhancing knowledge, experience, and academic information together efficiently. along with collaborating with other agencies including Chulalongkorn University To further develop antimalarial formulas into pharmaceuticals and health products with international standards. This will be expanded to the commercial production stage in the future. To support the production of antimalarial drugs that can actually be used In the form of cheap medicine Reaching the majority of patients who are poor This is an important step in moving forward with strong research along with partner agencies. To promote the availability of antimalarial products for developing countries. It is considered the first time in the world. by a team of researchers from Thailand”

Dr. Somboon Sahasitthiwat, Deputy Director of NSTDA, said that the cooperation between Biotech, NSTDA and Mahidol University It will help expand the results and develop a platform for finding and predicting the appropriate dose of P218 for treating malaria. and develop antimalarial drugs Toward pharmaceuticals and health products with international standards To expand the results into the next commercial production step. It is considered a collaboration between organizations under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in using science. Technology and innovation Raise the level of the medical and public health industry in Thailand In line with the government’s policy that aims to drive the BCG economy and in accordance with the policy “Good research-innovation meets needs” and “focuses on important issues of the country” of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment under the leadership of Ms. Supamas Issaraphakdi, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, with the goal of building the potential to push the drug P218 towards It is the first new drug of Thailand and developing countries in the world to be successful.

Professor Dr. Banjong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University, said that Mahidol University Recognizing the potential of P218, the drug development platform “Mahidol University Drug Discovery & Development” or MU-DDD has been used to push P218 into a drug product in Thailand. The MU-DDD platform arises from costs. The university’s research strength in medical science has been accumulated for more than 50 years and has received funding from the Reinventing University project of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment since 2021. The highlight of the platform is Completeness of drug development potential, complete from upstream to downstream and connected to the strength of research in laboratory animals The ability to develop drug formulas in a form suitable for use in various populations such as children, adults, and the elderly, as well as the strength in human research of the medical faculty. All three faculties in Mahidol Making it the most complete drug development platform in Thailand.

“Currently, Mahidol University has been attending meetings and conducting research with the NSTDA biotech research team in developing the drug P218 for a period of time and has received clear directions in pushing the drug P218 into different stages. that are necessary according to Thai and international drug registration criteria Including starting to coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Public Health. Initially, this is to inform the FDA regarding such efforts. It is anticipated that we may be able to prepare various information and conduct additional research in no more than 2 years, so that we can successfully enter the process of requesting registration for the drug P218,” the President of Mahidol University concluded.

Professor Dr. Banjong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University, said that Mahidol University Recognizing the potential of P218, the drug development platform “Mahidol University Drug Discovery & Development” or MU-DDD has been used to push P218 into a drug product in Thailand. The MU-DDD platform arises from costs. The university’s research strength in medical science has been accumulated for more than 50 years and has received funding from the Reinventing University project of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment since 2021. The highlight of the platform is Completeness of drug development potential, complete from upstream to downstream and connected to the strength of research in laboratory animals The ability to develop drug formulas in a form suitable for use in various populations such as children, adults, and the elderly, as well as the strength in human research of the medical faculty. All three faculties in Mahidol Making it the most complete drug development platform in Thailand.

“Currently, Mahidol University has been attending meetings and conducting research with the NSTDA biotech research team in developing the drug P218 for a period of time and has received clear directions in pushing the drug P218 into different stages. that are necessary according to Thai and international drug registration criteria Including starting to coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Public Health. Initially, this is to inform the FDA regarding such efforts. It is anticipated that we may be able to prepare various information and conduct additional research in no more than 2 years to be able to successfully enter the process of requesting registration for the drug P218.” …… President of Mahidol University closed. end

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2023-12-13 16:49:04

Four years following the first cases of what was later called COVID-19 appeared, infections continue to spread and lead to new cases of the long form of the disease. However, the mystery that still surrounds this persistent illness limits the ability of health professionals to intervene.

According to recent data released by the Canadian COVID-19 Health and Antibody Survey (CHAS), approximately one in nine Canadian adults, or 11.7% of the population, say they have suffered from long-term symptoms. term following infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The definition of long-term COVID refers to symptoms that are still present more than three months following infection and cannot be attributed to another cause.

Still according to the survey conducted by Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, two-thirds of people suffering from long-term COVID and who sought care say they did not receive adequate services to treat their symptoms .

Each province has adopted its own service offering to care for these patients. In Quebec, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) has deployed a network of specialized clinics in all regions. However, we observe access and a level of care that varies from one place to another, recognizes the director of the specialized clinic for post-COVID-19 conditions at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Dr. Alain Piche.

He reports that many of his patients have to fight to be referred to his clinic because their family doctor does not believe them or does not believe in the existence of long-term COVID when scientific evidence “shows that it This is a very real evil,” specifies the professor in the department of microbiology and infectious diseases at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Sherbrooke.

But if we are able to confirm that the disease exists, we still have difficulty explaining its mechanism. Various hypotheses are being studied by scientists, including “viral persistence, low-level inflammation, vascular disorders, microclot disorders or the production of autoantibodies,” lists Dr. Piché. It might even be a combination of several of these mechanisms.

Some leads suggest that the hypothesis of a persistence of the infection, that is to say that the virus is hiding in a region of the body – possibly in the digestive tract or in the central nervous system – might be preferred. Studies are underway with patients treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid to see if it is effective. This same treatment is used as a preventative measure during COVID-19 infection in patients considered at risk.

Other drugs are also being tested with the aim of validating other hypotheses, namely treatments that target inflammation, vascularization or the production of autoantibodies.

Tame your condition

The list of symptoms experienced by patients is long and diverse. We are talking regarding neurological disorders, pain, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, numbness. As many of these symptoms are “subjective” and difficult to measure by the various medical tests available, this adds to the distress of patients.

For Dr. Alain Piché, the first thing to do with a new patient is to listen to them and believe them. “Patients will already feel better,” he says.

If the symptoms vary, the overall picture is still “fairly typical”, notes the microbiologist-infectious disease specialist.

You must still make sure to eliminate other possibilities before making a clear diagnosis. The signs of long-term COVID sometimes resemble those of other post-infection syndromes such as myalgic encephalomyelitis which can be associated with mononucleosis infection or even Lyme disease.

Then, if we do not yet have specific medication, we manage to improve the daily lives of patients through rehabilitation. Dr. Piché explains that many patients suffer from post-exercise discomfort. We must therefore teach them to split their efforts to alleviate their ailments.

A way of adapting to one’s condition which would allow many people to live better with their long COVID while waiting to be able to get rid of it.

Other luckier patients will see their symptoms disappear following six months or a year without much explanation. Which adds another layer to the mystery of long-term COVID.

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The Canadian Press’ health content receives funding through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial choices.

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