By Ritah Atukwatse,
KAMPALA,
A significant milestone has been achieved in the fight against malaria with the approval of the world’s first malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and young infants. Novartis’s Coartem Baby, developed in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), has received approval from Swiss drug regulators, paving the way for its rollout in eight African countries.
Malaria is a major killer in Africa, accounting for 95% of the 597,000 deaths worldwide in 2023, with children under five years old being disproportionately affected. Until now, there has been no approved treatment for babies weighing less than 4.5 kilograms, leaving a critical treatment gap.
Coartem Baby addresses this gap, providing a tailored dose and ingredient ratio for infants under 5 kg.
This drug is designed for babies weighing 2-5 kilograms, taking into account their immature liver function and metabolism.
It is sweet cherry-flavored, dispersible tablet can be dissolved in breast milk or water, making it easier to administer to sick infants.
Eight African countries – Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda – are expected to swiftly approve the medicine and begin rollout. Novartis plans to introduce Coartem Baby on a largely not-for-profit basis, increasing access in malaria-endemic regions. This approval marks a significant advance in global health equity and child survival, offering new hope in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
Dr. Quique Bassat, director-general of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, called the approval a “big step” for neonatal care, highlighting the need for a suitable treatment for this age group. Dr. Vast Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, emphasized the company’s commitment to developing breakthroughs where they are needed most, ensuring that even the smallest and most vulnerable babies can receive the care they deserve.
