Artemisinin is the most effective first line antimalarial treatment with minimal or no toxic side effects. Presently, artemisinin is extracted from plants which have long growing seasons and produce inconsistent yields. High cost and an unreliable supply chain for artemisinin demands a new approach to production. Fyodor’s recombinant yeast synthetic biology technology, licensed from The National Research Council of Canada, will shift artemisinin synthesis and production from plants to microbes, ultimately enabling the ready availability of ACTs to all patients. Recently, additional uses for artemisinin were discovered, including for the treatment of various types of cancers, hepatitis C and as a broad antiviral agent.

Fyodor is collaborating with the University of Maryland’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH) to advance this program.