A novel solution to eradicating malaria

Malaria is a common and life-threatening disease that is introduced into the bloodstream via mosquito bites. The World Malaria Report 2020 listed 229 million infections in 2019, and more than 400’000 deaths. A major roadblock to malaria elimination is the presence of malaria-infected people showing no symptoms. If not identified and treated, in these asymptomatic carriers (ACs) are hidden parasitic reservoirs that can sustain malaria transmission. The goal of this project from the Adolphe Merkle institute, University of Fribourg, is to develop a novel malaria diagnostic to affordably and efficiently detect ACs of the malaria parasite – a unique function which today’s point-of-care malaria diagnostic tools do not accomplish. We at Hemolytics offer a low-cost and sensitive diagnostic test to speed the eradication of the malaria parasite.

Thanks to the Leading House for the Latin American Region Seed Money Grant, we have initiated a collaboration with the tropical disease clinic Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina Tropical (CEPEM) in Porto Velho, Brazil. Two series of field tests were carried out where 45 blood samples comprising infected patients (29) and healthy donors (16) were analysed with our diagnostic tool. Comparison with local diagnostic methods showed that Hemolytics’ diagnostic reached a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 94%.

We also participated in the Academia Industry Training (AIT) Camp, Brazil where we could explore the potential for startup creation based on our discovery. This camp was a very rich experience where we could exchange with fellow entrepreneurs from Brazil and Switzerland, benefit from a wide variety of entrepreneurial training, and attend meetings with relevant stakeholders.

The encouraging results obtained from the Leading House for the Latin American Region Seed Money Grant were instrumental in attracting further funding to consolidate our collaboration with CEPEM and to continue the development of the diagnostic. Since the project supported by the Seed Money Grant was carried out, we were able to do another series of field tests, and further field tests are planned for the near future. None of this would have been possible without the support of the Leading House for the Latin American Region. Moreover, the valuable contacts and training we obtained during AIT Brazil were key to formulate the basis of a startup project to develop a novel malaria diagnostic.

Thanks to the multiple experiences and opportunities offered by the Leading House for the Latin American Region, we had an in-depth discovery of the Brazilian culture on both professional and personal levels. It also enabled us to build solid relationships with several Brazilian partners, together with whom we continue to build new projects.