Africa CDC Hails Breakthrough Malaria Treatment for Newborns
For the first time, a malaria treatment has been approved for newborns and infants under five kilogrammes – closing a critical gap in care for Africa’s youngest. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has welcomed this milestone as a vital step in protecting the most vulnerable.
Eight Member States – Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda – played a pivotal role in clinical trials, underscoring Africa’s growing leadership in health innovation.
Until now, infants under five kilogrammes had no approved treatment and were given unsafe adaptations of medicines for older children. This new formulation, dissolvable in breast milk and with a sweet flavour, provides a safe, effective,
and infant-friendly option.
Developed by Novartis and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) under the PAMAfrica consortium, the new artemether-lumefantrin formulation has been cleared by Swiss regulators, with rapid approvals expected in participating countries.
📥 Read the full brief in your preferred language:
👉 English PDF – Africa CDC Weekly Brief | 11 – 17 August 2025
👉 Version française – Bulletin Hebdomadaire d’Africa CDC | 11 – 17 Aout 2025
🔗 For direct inquiries or media engagement: communications@africacdc.org
