Antiparasitics - a review of the recent patent literature

A total of 45 patents relating to chemical substances with antiparasitic activity appeared during the last quarter of 1999 and the first quarter of 2000. While ten were concerned with specific formulations of registered drugs, nine alluded to the antiparasitc activity in a general way but without substantiating such effect. The majority of the 26 remaining patents reflected the further exploration of chemical groups with known antiparasitic activity. All patents covering antimalarials relate to artemisinin analogs, some of which may offer pharmacodynamic advantages over currently available commercial products. Only two patents concern candidate compounds against human and animal infections by members of the Trypanosomatidae family. In contrast, ectoparasitoses of livestock animals received greater attention with new developments in the area of avermectins, nodulosporins, marcfortines and paraherquamides, with pyrazole analogs obviously reflecting a major veterinary medical interest. As a result of molecular biological research, two new approaches to antiparasitic therapy were identified and two new screening methods were developed for application in antiparasitic and antifungal screening.