Hong Kong University of Science and Technology announced Monday that a new anti-malaria drug developed by them becoming a cover story published in the latest issue of the world's influential academic journal -- Angewandte Chemie.

The research paper talked about how the new drug, artemisone, compares in terms of effectiveness and neurotoxicity with other artemisinin-type anti-malarial drugs commonly used today. The paper was commended for its excellence by the journal's editorial board.

According to the university, the studies and development of the new drug began in 1995 and completed in 1999. Artemisone was of high effectiveness which also means that patients require relatively low doses.

The first phase of clinical trials completed last year in Thailand showed that there were no side effects at all. In one set of malaria patients, complete cure was achieved with only one-third the total dose level used with arsenate, the hitherto most active artemisinin derivative known to science.

The research team is currently seeking funds to support the second phase of clinical trials and expected that artemisone will be available as a regular anti-malarial drug within a few years.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2006)