Open Source Malaria

Australia

Open Source Malaria (OSM) aims to bring new medicines to patients using a radical model. All data and ideas are freely shared, there will be no patents and anyone may participate. OSM is already working on a powerful new antimalarial, and seeks a way to scale up the consortium to take a drug from discovery to patient without secrecy, potentially transforming pharmaceutical R&D models.

Implementation time

1-3 years

Total Cost

$1,000,000.00

Last update: October 05, 2023

Overview Contributors

Challenge

Malaria affects 3.2 billion people at risk globally, with significant human costs, and current front-line drugs face resistance issues. New, inexpensive medicines are urgently needed.

Description

OSM employs an open research model where data and ideas are shared freely, with no patents. They aim to develop a potent new antimalarial by working collaboratively with global researchers, examining and optimizing molecules, and ensuring the resulting medicine is sustainably available at low cost.

SDGs

Outcomes

The key outcomes of OSM include examining four series of molecules for potential new antimalarials, significant contributions to the open-source drug discovery model, and progress towards an IP-free, potent new antimalarial drug. It has also led to broader community involvement in scientific research and potential changes to traditional pharmaceutical research approaches.