The first malaria treatment suitable for babies and very young children has been approved for use, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against the disease. The treatment, developed by Novartis in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), is expected to be rolled out in African countries within weeks.
Malaria is a leading cause of death in children under five years old, with almost three-quarters of the 597,000 deaths recorded in 2023 occurring in this age group. Until now, there have been no approved malaria drugs specifically for babies, who are often treated with versions formulated for older children, presenting a risk of overdose.
The new medicine, known as Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby in some countries, has been approved by Swiss authorities and is designed to treat malaria in babies weighing less than 4.5kg or around 10lb. Novartis plans to introduce the treatment on a largely not-for-profit basis, making it more accessible to those who need it most.
“We are proud to have gone further to develop the first clinically proven malaria treatment for newborns and young babies, ensuring even the smallest and most vulnerable can finally receive the care they deserve,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis.
The development of Coartem Baby is the result of a collaboration between Novartis and MMV, a Swiss-based not-for-profit organization initially backed by the British, Swiss, and Dutch governments, as well as the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation. Eight African nations also participated in the assessment and trials of the drug and are expected to be among the first to access it.
“Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases, particularly among children,” said Martin Fitchet, CEO of MMV. “The approval of Coartem Baby provides a necessary medicine with an optimized dose to treat an otherwise neglected group of patients and offers a valuable addition to the antimalarial toolbox.”
Dr. Marvelle Brown, associate professor at the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, welcomed the news, saying it was a major breakthrough in saving the lives of babies and young children. “The death rate for malarial infections, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, is extremely high – over 76% of deaths occur in children under five years old,” she said.
The approval of Coartem Baby is a significant step towards reducing the burden of malaria in Africa, where the disease is most prevalent. With its not-for-profit pricing, Novartis aims to make the treatment accessible to those who need it most, potentially saving thousands of lives in the process.