BBP 212 is an Artemisinin-like, water-soluble compound synthetised by a genetically engineered yeast with a high yield (up to 120 mg l-1).
Production of Artimisin out of artemisinic acid by genetically modified yeast (typically Saccheromyces cerevisiae) is not new1,2, but that usually involves isolation and conversion of artemisinic acid into artemisinin. BBP 212 however is produced directly by a genetically engineered micro-organism.
Further development of this method and testing BBP 212 for it’s antimalarial (typically Plasmodium falciparum) are scheduled.
1Bioengineered Yeast Could Increase Supplies of Potent Malaria Drug
2Synthetic biology extends anti-malaria drug artemisinin's effectiveness
