UCB7362

UCB7362 is an orally active, potent small molecule inhibitor of plasmepsin X (PMX), an essential aspartyl protease in *Plasmodium falciparum*. PMX controls parasite egress and invasion of erythrocytes, development of functional liver merozoites (prophylactic activity), and transmission to mosquitoes, making it a multistage antimalarial drug target. UCB7362 demonstrates high potency against PMX with an IC50 of 7 nM and is substantially more selective for PMX over related proteases. In preclinical models, once-daily oral dosing achieved significant reductions in blood-stage parasitemia, comparable to chloroquine. The compound was optimized for improved safety profile and shorter predicted human half-life compared to earlier candidates[1][4][7].