1 year ago
New Compounds Show Promise in Fighting Malaria
Scientists have found new ways to fight malaria, a disease spread by mosquitoes.
They've created compounds that can be put on bed nets to kill the malaria parasite inside the mosquitoes, instead of just the mosquitoes themselves.
This helps because mosquitoes are becoming resistant to current insecticides.
The new compounds work even if the mosquitoes are resistant.
These new compounds are cost-effective and stop the malaria parasite from growing in the mosquito, which means it can't spread the disease.
This could help reduce malaria cases, especially in places where the disease is common.
Researchers identified compounds targeting malaria parasites in mosquitoes.
Compounds were tested on Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.
ELQ-456 was the most promising compound, blocking parasite infections.
Compounds were incorporated into polyethylene films for bed nets.
The compounds are cost-effective and effective against resistant strains.
- Who
- Researchers identified compounds to fight malaria.
- What
- Researchers identified compounds to fight malaria by targeting the parasite in mosquitoes, bypassing insecticide resistance.
- Where
- Research was conducted and published in the journal Nature.
- When
- Research reported in Nature on May 22, 2025.
- Why
- To offer a cost-effective and resistance-proof method to control malaria transmission.
Key facts
- Malaria cases in 2023
- 263 million
- Percentage of cases in Africa
- 94%
- Most promising compound
- ELQ-456
- Type of mosquito tested
- Anopheles gambiae
- WHO-recommended malaria vaccines
- RTS,S and R21





