Scientists have discovered a new anti-malarial compound that could treat patients with a single $1 dose, including those with strains of the mosquito-borne disease that are resistant to current drugs.

Although it is still years from reaching the market, results from tests conducted on human blood in the laboratory and in live mice suggest it is highly potent, researchers reported in the journal Nature on Wednesday.

In a vote of confidence for the project, German drugmaker Merck KgAA has secured the right to develop and commercialize the compound, assuming it succeeds in further tests.