In drug development, a “magic bullet” is a compound designed to kill disease-causing organisms without harming healthy cells. Such compounds are needed now more than ever because diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and sleeping sickness, which kill more than 10 million people each year, are becoming resistant to existing treatments.

“Many of these diseases are becoming harder to treat due to drug resistance,” said Prof Richard Beteck, research professor in synthetic medicinal chemistry at the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences at the North-West University (NWU).

Speaking during his inaugural lecture on the Potchefstroom Campus, Prof Beteck said that targeted compounds referred to as magic bullets could offer safer, more precise ways to fight deadly diseases.

“The concept dates back to 1907, when Dr Paul Ehrlich imagined a treatment that hits only the pathogen.”

He explained how researchers test chemical compounds on bacteria and parasites in the laboratory, and then refine the most effective compounds through repeated experiments. Prof Beteck’s team focuses on tuberculosis, the world’s top infectious killer. “The current TB regimen is lengthy and toxic. Drug resistance and HIV co-infection make it worse,” he noted.

His group is also investigating compounds for neglected diseases such as sleeping sickness and nagana, which affect both humans and livestock. Drawing inspiration from plant-based substances such as turmeric and citronella oil, his team has created chemical versions with better properties. “We target specific features in pathogens that human cells do not have, which helps reduce toxicity,” he said.

The lecture ended with a focus on the work ahead. Prof Beteck said upcoming efforts include training postgraduate students, publishing in international journals, filing patents and preparing for clinical research. “It’s a long road from lab to pharmacy, but each discovery moves us closer.”

Prof Richard Beteck