Biotransformation and biocatalysis: roles and applications in the discovery of antimalarials

Several strategies to discover new antimalarials have been proposed to augment and complement the conventional drug-discovery paradigm. One approach, which has not yet been fully exploited, is the use of drug biotransformation to identify new active molecules. This concept rests on the use of the biotransformation of drugs to their pharmacologically active metabolites. This approach has been used successfully in human chemotherapy, with the discovery and development of several metabolite-based drugs. This review looks at the contribution that biotransformations can play in antimalarial drug discovery.