For 25 years, Medicines for Malaria Venture and partners have forged a path towards the global goal of a malaria-free future, with numerous milestones along the way, including the expansion of the antimalarial toolbox with 15 rigorously tested malaria therapies, which have helped save over 13 million lives. We will continue to innovate with our partners to meet unmet needs until the goal of a malaria-free world is achieved. Take a look below at the timeline of the antimalarials we have, so far, helped develop and deliver to those most in need.
Addressing the needs of children (Medicines 1-5)
2008
1st medicine: Coartem® Dispersible (partner Novartis) becomes the first child-friendly artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) approved by Swissmedic.
2010
2nd medicine: With MMV’s help, Fosun Pharma’s Artesun® (injectable artesunate) for severe malaria receives WHO prequalification.
2011
3rd medicine: Alfasigma S.p.A.’s Eurartesim® for acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria receives EMA regulatory approval.
2012
4th medicine: Shin Poong Pharma’s Pyramax® for acute uncomplicated P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria becomes the first antimalarial to receive a positive scientific opinion from the EMA through Article 58.
2014
5th medicine: Fosun Pharma’s sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine + amodiaquine (SPAQ) for seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in 1-5-year-olds receives WHO prequalification.
Expanding the antimalarial toolbox (Medicines 6-10)
2015
6th medicine: Shin Poong’s Pyramax® granules becomes the first paediatric formulation to receive EMA positive scientific opinion through Article 58.
7th and 8th medicines: MMV takes over access stewardship of ASAQ Winthrop® and artesunate-mefloquine (ASMQ) from DNDi.
2017
9th medicine: Cipla launches quality-assured artesunate rectal capsules (ARC) for pre-referral intervention of severe malaria in young children.
2018
10th medicine: Strides Shasun’s rectal artesunate suppositories for the pre-referral intervention of severe malaria receive WHO prequalification.
Striving for equitable access (Medicines 11-17)
2018
11th medicine: US FDA and the Australian TGA approve tafenoquine for radical cure of P. vivax malaria in patients older than 16.
12th medicine: Second manufacturer of injectable artesunate secured: Ipca receives WHO prequalification in December for Larinate® 60mg.
2019
13th medicine: S Kant Healthcare Ltd., second manufacturer of SPAQ for SMC, receives Global Fund Expert Review Panel positive opinion, allowing for procurement by malaria-endemic countries with donor funds for 1 year while prequalification is on-going.
2022
14th medicine: Paediatric tafenoquine approved by the Australian TGA in Q1 2022.
15th and 16th medicines: UCL becomes the first African manufacturer to gain WHO prequalification for SP for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and SPAQ, a combination therapy for seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
2024
17th medicine: With support from MMV and Unitaid, Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited (Swipha) becomes the first Nigerian manufacturer of WHO-prequalified sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, used for preventing malaria in infants and pregnant women