Manuel Elkin Patarroyo
Colombian scientist / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manuel Elkin Patarroyo Murillo (born November 3, 1946)[1] is a Colombian Professor of Pathology and Immunology who made the world's first attempt to create a synthetic vaccine against the protozoal parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the cause of severe malaria,[2] and responsible for the death of ~1.5 million people per year in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
Manuel Elkin Patarroyo | |
---|---|
Born | Manuel Elkin Patarroyo Murillo (1946-11-03) November 3, 1946 (age 77) |
Education | National University of Colombia (MD) |
Known for | SPf66 Malaria vaccine |
Medical career | |
Profession | Physician-scientist |
Institutions | |
Sub-specialties | Pathologist |
Research | Immunology |
Awards |
|
The vaccine candidate, first developed in 1987 in Colombia, was evaluated in clinical trials carried out by the WHO in Gambia, Tanzania and Thailand, and had mixed results.[3] In 2009, a comprehensive Cochrane review assessed the SPf66 as being not efficacious in Africa and Asia, and as having a low but statistically significant efficacy of 28% in South America.[4] Researchers and vaccine developers have been working on many approaches to bring forward the availability of a malaria vaccine."[5] More research and clinical trials are required for a universal vaccine to be implemented.
Patarroyo is a recipient of the TWAS Prize (1998).[6]