A novel pyrazolopyridine with in vivo activity in Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium falciparum-infected mouse models from structure-activity relationship studies around the core of recently identified antimalarial imidazopyridazines.

Toward improving pharmacokinetics, in vivo efficacy, and selectivity over hERG, structure activity relationship studies around the central core of antimalarial imidazo-pyridazines were conducted. This study led to the identification of potent pyrazolopyridines, which showed good in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetics profiles. The lead compounds also proved to be very potent in the parasite liver and gametocyte stages, which makes them of high interest.