Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic infectious disease caused by Plasmodium species and remains a major global health threat, especially in endemic tropical regions. The WHO African Region carries the overwhelming majority of global malaria burden.
The WHO approved the first malaria drug for infants weighing under 5kg, and researchers unveiled a single-dose compound, cabamiquine, showing promise in early trials. Investment in the Medicines for Malaria Venture yielded $13 in health benefits per $1 invested, averting 1.6 million deaths.
Novartis marks 30 years since its 1996 merger, citing advances in targeted therapy, cell therapy, gene therapy, and malaria. It also named a Levant Country President and won two clinical research awards in Saudi Arabia.
Federal and international funders have announced life sciences and biotech funding opportunities: NIH awards up to $30 million, NSF fellowships, and roundups exceeding $900 million. Scholarships and grants are open worldwide, with AI and local eligibility as key criteria.
New research advances sustainable biotechnology: recreating poisonous plant compounds for medicine, a two-step fermentation that removes up to 99% of off-putting smells, and hybrid plants that cut carbon footprints by 62%.
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC has surpassed 3,200 cases and 1,400 deaths, becoming the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever. The first-ever Bundibugyo-specific vaccine trial has begun at Oxford, while healthcare workers at the epicenter have gone on strike over unpaid wages. The WHO has declared the outbreak a global health emergency.
A multicenter EFFORT Trial published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases found that 7-day high-dose primaquine and single-dose tafenoquine significantly reduced P. vivax malaria recurrence compared to the standard 14-day low-dose primaquine regimen. The trial, conducted across Ethiopia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Cambodia, supports WHO guidelines and potential geographic expansion of tafenoquine use.
Multiple studies confirm high effectiveness of key antimalarial drugs in Indonesia, Ethiopia, and for malaria prevention in HIV-positive pregnancies. Research shows DHA-PPQ, artemether-lumefantrine, and other treatments remain well-tolerated with no delayed parasite clearance. Findings support continued use of current treatment policies while emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring.
Kenya is building local vaccine manufacturing capacity through a WHO-supported mRNA technology transfer project and a three-phase strategy focused on childhood vaccines. The country aims to reduce reliance on imports, with a fill-and-finish facility in Embakasi expected by 2027 and first locally produced vaccines by 2028.
Novartis introduced new long-term social impact and sustainability targets covering access, global health, emissions, waste and water. The plan includes a 2030 access goal and net-zero across the value chain by 2040.
WHO has prequalified Coartem Baby, the first malaria treatment developed for newborns and young infants weighing 2 to 5 kilograms. The decision opens access through public procurement and donor-funded programs.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07758985 |
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Mosquitocidal Activity of Lotilaner in Healthy Participants in Mali. |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07749911 |
Assessing Vaccine Effectiveness of R21/Matrix-M Across Malaria Transmission Settings (AVERT) |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07713602 |
Study to Assess Safety and Clinical Responses With Coartem® Baby Dispersible Tablets in Paediatric Patients Weighing 2 to <5 kg With Uncomplicated Malaria |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE4 |
| NCT07712263 |
Integrating the Guardian Spatial Emanator Within AVENIR II |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07548021 |
Safety and PK of MMV371 LAI in Healthy Adults and Adolescents in Rwanda |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07470424 |
A Clinical Study of Piperaquine, Pyronaridine, and Artesunate Administered in Combination in Healthy Adults |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07468526 |
An Ultra-short Course of Primaquine for the Radical Cure of Vivax Malaria |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE3 |
| NCT07430592 |
This is a Clinical Study to Assess Whether the Combination of SJ733 and Tafenoquine Will be a Safe and Rapidly Acting Anti-malarial for the Radical Cure of P. Vivax Malaria |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07416461 |
Effectiveness of Malaria Vaccines in Reducing the Risk of Invasive Non-typhoidal Salmonella Disease |
RECRUITING | |
| NCT07387341 |
Long-acting Spatial Emanators / Repellents (LASER) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | NA |
