The world’s first malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and very young children has been approved for use — marking a breakthrough in the fight against one of the deadliest infectious diseases. The medicine is expected to be rolled out in African countries within weeks, targeting regions with the highest disease burden.
Until now, there were no approved antimalarial drugs formulated for babies weighing less than 4.5 kg (around 10 lbs). Instead, they were given treatments intended for older children — a practice that carried risks of overdose and adverse reactions due to their developing liver function.
A Deadly Disease with a Heavy Toll
In 2023, malaria was linked to approximately 597,000 deaths globally, according to the World Health Organization. Nearly all occurred in Africa, with about 76% of fatalities among children under five years old.
While malaria treatments for children already exist, none had been tailored for the youngest and most vulnerable until now. Experts describe this as a long-standing treatment gap that has left newborns and small infants at significant risk.
The New Medicine: Coartem Baby
The newly approved medicine — known as Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby in some regions — was developed by Novartis in partnership with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a Swiss-based not-for-profit organization.
The drug has been clinically proven to be safe and effective for infants under 4.5 kg. It is expected to be introduced largely on a not-for-profit basis in high-burden countries, with eight African nations that participated in clinical trials set to be among the first recipients.
Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, called it “an important moment” in the decades-long fight against malaria:
“For more than three decades, we have stayed the course in the fight against malaria, delivering scientific breakthroughs where they are needed most… even the smallest and most vulnerable can finally receive the care they deserve.”
A Vital Tool in the Fight Against Malaria
Martin Fitchet, CEO of MMV, described the approval as a crucial addition to the antimalarial toolbox:
“The approval of Coartem Baby provides an optimised dose for a neglected group of patients and offers a valuable step toward ending malaria’s huge toll.”
Medical experts agree. Dr. Marvelle Brown, associate professor at the University of Hertfordshire, highlighted the drug’s potential to save lives in sub-Saharan Africa, where over three-quarters of malaria deaths occur in children under five. She also noted that babies born with sickle cell disease face an even higher risk due to weaker immune systems.
From a public health perspective, making this treatment affordable and accessible could help reduce inequality in access to healthcare.
Source : BBC
