A new malaria treatment has shown promise in blocking transmission and tackling the emerging problem of parasite resistance to current antimalarials.
Ganaplacide-lumefantrine, or GanLum, is developed by pharmaceutical giant Novartis in partnership with different scientific and funding organizations, including Medicines for Malaria Venture, or MMV. It is a combination of two compounds: a new antimalarial drug called ganaplacide, and a new formulation of an existing antimalarial called lumefantrine.
Results from a phase 3 clinical trial carried out across 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and published this week showed it’s highly effective in treating uncomplicated malaria, as well as in killing parasites that have developed partial resistance to current antimalarials. It was also found to rapidly kill the sexual transmission stages of the malaria parasite, blocking further transmission to other people.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
