MED6-189

MED6-189 is a synthetic analog of the kalihinol family of isocyanoterpene natural products, originally inspired by compounds extracted from marine sponges. It is being developed as a pan-antimalarial candidate with potent activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of *Plasmodium falciparum*, as well as zoonotic species like *P. knowlesi* and *P. cynomolgi*. MED6-189 exhibits a dual mechanism of action, targeting the parasite's apicoplast (disrupting lipid biogenesis and isoprenoid synthesis) and interfering with vesicular trafficking pathways. Genetic studies have shown that mutations in the parasite secretory machinery component PfSec13 and Pfendoplasmin (PfEndo) are associated with reduced susceptibility to the drug. It has demonstrated strong in vivo efficacy in humanized mouse models of malaria with a favorable safety profile.

Other names

kalihinol analog MED6-189