For the first time, babies and very young children battling malaria can be treated with a medicine made just for them.
Approved by Swiss authorities, this groundbreaking drug, Coartem Baby, is designed for children weighing under 4.5kg and will soon be available in African countries where the disease hits hardest.
Previously, infants were given malaria treatments formulated for older kids, risking overdoses and complications due to their underdeveloped organs.
In 2023 alone, malaria claimed nearly 600,000 lives, and heartbreakingly, three-quarters of those were children under five in Africa.
Developed by Novartis in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Coartem Baby fills a long-standing gap in care. Eight African nations contributed to its trials, helping ensure the medication meets urgent local needs.
“Together with our partners, we are proud to have gone further to develop the first clinically proven malaria treatment for newborns and young babies, ensuring even the smallest and most vulnerable can finally receive the care they deserve,” Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, said.
The drug will be rolled out on a not-for-profit basis, with hopes of improving access across communities that have long struggled with childhood malaria deaths.
Experts believe this could be a pivotal moment in reducing the disease’s staggering toll on the youngest lives.
