Advances in drug discovery and biochemical studies

Japanese researchers continue to discover new means to combat parasites and make important contributions toward developing tools for global control of parasitic diseases. Streptomyces avermectinius, the source of ivermectin, was discovered in Japan in the early 1970s and renewed and vigorous screening of microbial metabolites in recent years has led to the discovery of new antiprotozoals and anthelminthics, including antimalarial drugs. Intensive studies of parasite energy metabolism, such as NADH-fumarate reductase systems and the synthetic pathways of nucleic acids and amino acids, also contribute to the identification of novel and unique drug targets.