USC Clinical Trials has partnered with the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane to investigate whether an approved anti-malarial drug can be used more extensively to counter malaria – a disease that claims more than 400,000 lives worldwide each year.

While malaria is not prevalent in Australia, it is responsible for more deaths than any other parasitic disease in nearby countries like Papua New Guinea and in regions such as Africa.

New approaches to malaria control are required because malaria parasites are becoming immune to existing treatment options.

The drug being investigated by USC Clinical Trials and QIMR Berghofer is already approved in Australia for the treatment of some malaria infections.

This study is assessing whether it can be used in lower doses to help treat or prevent malaria.

USC Clinical Trials’ centre at Morayfield is hosting the phase 1 study, which runs in three parts and requires healthy volunteers – those with no medical conditions and taking no prescription medications – aged between 18 and 55.

Part 1 of the study is already underway, but further participants are needed for later parts starting early this year.

Volunteers must be willing to spend approximately five consecutive days and four nights at the clinic and attend multiple outpatient visits over a three-month period as part of the study.

USC Clinical Trials Morayfield Operations Manager Sharon Rankine said participation in this trial would involve a considerable time commitment.

She said healthy volunteers who meet the eligibility criteria and complete the study would be paid for their participation. For more details or to register interest go to usc.edu.au/trials.