Brief article outlining the discovery of anti-malarial properties of Artemisinin and Nobel laureate Tu Youyou's contribution to modern medicine.

1. IMS Observer - Issue 12
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Unveiling Project 523
An Insider’s Scoop into the Development of the Anti-
Malaria Drug
The birth of Project 523 was initiated due to the diabolical conditions of the battleground in the
Vietnam War. Aside from the armed atrocities that claimed countless lives on both sides, the
rampant spread of malaria only added fuel to the fire. Vietnam, a Southeast Asian country
adorned with rich diverse topography and forestry, paradoxically gave rise to the exponential
growth of the malaria parasite, scientifically known as Plasmodium. The threat of malaria
escalated exponentially as Chloroquine, a medicine traditionally used to treat Malaria, lost its
effectiveness as plasmodium evolved into a more advanced drug-resistant entity. In fact, malaria
felled more combatants than the bullets. As a result of the outbreak of malaria, the combat
strength of the United States (US) Army was significantly reduced. Meanwhile, the Chinese,
Soviet Union and North Vietnamese armies were not spared of the same fate. With the support
of Chinese Premier Chou En-lai, a plan for the research and development (R&D) for a new
malaria drug was implemented, to prepare for the needs of the war.
Launching Project 523
On 23 May 1967, the R&D project was initiated at a conference known as the first “Drug
Research Collaboration Conference to Control Malaria”. This R&D project was a secret military
program classified as Project 523 (the number “523” was derived from the date - month and
date of the conference). The project commenced on 23 May 1967 and was jointly carried out by
the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Not
only did this project lead to the discovery of artemisinin (known as 青蒿素, qinghaosu in Chinese)
- the resultant anti-malaria medicine, but also the discovery of new quinoleine derivatives.
Quinoleine derivatives are now used as partner molecules, which are known as “Artemisinin-
based Combination Therapy (ACT)”, designed to delay drug resistance for patients. With the
immobilization of over 60 scientific research institutions and 500 scientists, with the most
notable being recent Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, Project 523 is arguably one of the most
substantial joint-projects undertaken between military and non-military entities in the PRC’s
history.
A clinicial test that demonstrated artemisinin’s efficacy
The data gathered during the research process utilized different medical methodologies and
sources. Researchers looked to both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western
medicine’s drugs to draw inspiration for the anti-malaria drug. From the ancient Chinese history
records, besides artemisinin, which was derived from Artemisia annua (or sweet wormwood or
青蒿, qinghao in Chinese), other plant-derived molecules such as β-dichroine(常山乙碱),
Artabotrys uncinatus ( 鹰 爪 甲 素 ), Zincpolyanemine ( 暗 罗 素 ) also contained anti-malarial
properties. The use of artemisinin first started in 1969, in Gaoyou county, Jiangsu, where its
clinical success rate of over 80% was duly noted by medical professionals. Between the time
period of 1969 to 1972, the Ministry of Health confirms the efficacy of artemisinin with further
observations.
Contributions from Yunan and Shandong Provinces: Successful trials
The early stage of artemisinin is known for producing cardiotoxins, a conundrum puzzling Tu
Youyou and her team. Soon enough, scientist Luo Zeyuan from Yunan, began experiments with
four organic solvents of petroleum; ether, diethyl ether, acetic acid diethyl ether, and methanol.

2. IMS Observer - Issue 12
IMS HEALTH ASIA PTE LTD 8 Cross Street #21-01/02/03/04, Singapore 048424 • E-mail: APACSocialMedia@imshealth.com • Website: www.imshealth.com
○C 2015 IMS Health Incorporated and its affiliates. All rights reserved. Trademarks are registered in the United States and in various other countries
Luo utilized molecular separation for the extraction of the diethyl
ether elements. The clinical trials of the artemisinin in 1973
subsequently found no visible side effects to major organs like
heart, liver and kidney on animals. With artemisinin’s proven
efficacy, the government decided to establish the R&D location in
Youyang, a region known for its bountiful naturalized Artemisia
annua. The next stage involved careful observation of the
molecular structure and tailor drug formulations accordingly.
Contributions from Shanghai and Beijing Cities: From lab to production
The primary mission for the development of artemisinin revolved around lowering cost and
simplifying consumption. This was achieved with improved production efficiency, reduced
recrudescence rate and enhanced drug quality. The development promises to dig deep into the
issues of resources survey, extract methods, pharmacology and toxicology, medically-induced
metabolism, and molecular structures.
Upon the provision of pure crystal structure of Artemisininic acid, the study of molecular
structure of Artemisinin was conducted with collaborative contributions from scientists from the
Shanghai institute of Organic Chemistry, the Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine and the
Institute of Biophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The research results were made
public in 1978.
The efficacy of artemisinin was never surpassed in later research conducted by scientists all
over the world. Its notable characteristics of quick and efficient treatment of malaria as well
as little side effects, has earned artemisinin a place on the podium as the world’s favorably
preferred drug for malaria treatment.
Image Source: Orange News