MMV1804508

MMV1804508 is a preclinical-stage cyclopropyl amide small molecule antimalarial candidate identified through the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Malaria Libre program. It acts as an inhibitor of the Plasmodium falciparum cytochrome bc1 complex (mitochondrial electron transport chain complex III). By targeting the cytochrome bc1 complex, MMV1804508 indirectly inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), an essential enzyme for de novo pyrimidine synthesis in the parasite, thereby depriving the parasite of essential pyrimidine nucleotides. It has demonstrated potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum and shows a reduced propensity to develop resistance compared to other mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibitors.