Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) have reported positive Phase IIb study results for their non-artemisinin combination to treat uncomplicated malaria. The study tested ganaplacide in combination with a new formulation of lumefantrine that is optimised for once daily dosing. This combination has the potential not only to clear malaria infection, including artemisinin resistant strains, but also to block the transmission of the malaria parasite.
Novartis is taking aim at drug-resistant malaria – a growing global problem – by launching clinical trials of the first new antimalarial medicine for many years in nine countries across Africa and Asia.
Pharma firm Nutraplus India has started commercial production of anti-malarial drug Lumefantrine at its new plant at Tarapur in Maharashtra.