Centanamycin is an achiral analogue of duocarmycin that alkylates in the minor groove of DNA in a sequence-selective manner. It is a highly potent cytotoxic agent in vitro, and whilst possessing impressive in vivo anti-tumor activity following both intravenous and oral administrations, it is its potent anti-malarial properties which are outstanding. Centanamycin not only acts directly to kill the Plasmodium parasite but has the remarkable ability to confer sterile immunity to malarial insult through chemical attenuation of the infectious sporozoites.
Spirogen is currently seeking partners to develop Centanamycin as an anti malarial drug.
