• Novartis receives approval for Coartem Baby, the first malaria treatment for infants.
• The new drug addresses a critical treatment gap affecting babies under 4.5 kg.
• Eight African countries involved in the trials are expected to approve the treatment soon.
• In 2023, malaria was linked to nearly 600,000 deaths, predominantly in Africa.
• Coartem Baby will be introduced on a not-for-profit basis to increase access.

Novartis has announced the approval of Coartem Baby, the first malaria treatment specifically designed for infants and young children. This approval, granted in Switzerland, is anticipated to significantly improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations in endemic regions. Until now, no approved medications were available for infants weighing less than 4.5 kg, leaving a critical gap in treatment options that could lead to increased risks of overdose when using medications formulated for older children, according to BBC, Reuters, and Africa News.

The new treatment, also known as Riamet Baby in some regions, is designed to be easily administered as it dissolves in liquid, including breast milk, and features a palatable cherry flavor. It was developed to fill a severe treatment void for infants, with eight African countries involved in its initial assessment, now poised for rapid approval of the treatment. These countries include Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, as reported by Reuters and TRT Global.

In 2023, malaria caused approximately 597,000 deaths globally, with a stark majority occurring in Africa, where 94% of infections are reported. Children under five represent the most affected demographic, accounting for 76% of malaria-related fatalities. The World Health Organization emphasized the urgent need for effective treatments, particularly for infants who are inadequately addressed by current options, according to Africa News and TRT Global.

To enhance access to the new malaria treatment, Novartis plans to implement a not-for-profit distribution model, aiming to benefit areas with the highest malaria prevalence where healthcare disparities are profound. CEO Vas Narasimhan highlighted this initiative as a crucial step toward ensuring equitable healthcare delivery for infants, thereby tackling one of the world’s deadliest diseases more effectively, according to BBC, Reuters, and Africa News.