Malaria drug: An experimental treatment from Novartis has matched standard care for malaria while outperforming it against drug-resistant parasites, offering a potential buffer as resistance to current therapies spreads.
The tablet, called GanLum, combines two non-artemisinin compounds. In a late-stage study of nearly 1,700 patients across 12 African countries, half received GanLum and the other half received standard artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).
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At four weeks, 85.3% of those on GanLum had no symptoms or detectable parasites compared with 82.1% on standard care. Novartis reported overall cure rates of 99.2% for GanLum vs 96.7% for ACT.
Crucially, GanLum remained highly active against mutant Plasmodium falciparum strains showing signs of resistance to ACT, the frontline regimen used across Africa since the early 2000s. “Drug resistance is a growing threat to Africa, so new treatment options can’t come a moment too soon,” said Dr Abdoulaye Djimdé of the University of Bamako, calling the results possibly “the biggest advance in malaria treatment for decades.”
The data, presented at a scientific meeting and not yet peer-reviewed, come as the WHO estimates 263 million cases and 597,000 deaths from malaria in 2023, three-quarters among children under five in Africa. The trial enrolled patients with acute, uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Independent experts welcomed the findings but urged more evidence on severe or cerebral malaria and on efficacy against other malaria species.
Novartis said it will seek regulatory approval and noted GanLum may both treat infection and help block transmission. The study received support from the EU, Germany and the UK. If approved, GanLum could diversify the antimalarial arsenal at a time when partial ACT resistance has been reported in Rwanda, Uganda and Eritrea.
