
Novartis (NVS) Wins Landmark Approval for Baby Malaria Treatment
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African Approval
The group said it had been given the green light in Switzerland by Swissmedic for Coartem Baby or Riamet Baby as it is known in some other countries.
Eight African countries, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda who participated in the assessment are now expected to issue quick approvals for the treatment.
According to UNICEF, in 2022, there were 249 million malaria cases globally that led to 608,000 deaths in total. Of these deaths, 76% were children under 5 years of age.
Around 30 million babies are born in areas of malaria risk in Africa every year, with one survey across West Africa reporting infections ranging between 3.4% and 18.4% in infants younger than six months old.
Relentless Work
Novartis launched Coartem to treat malaria in 1999, with the new dose strength now designed for small babies. The treatment is dissolvable, including in breast milk, and reportedly has a sweet cherry flavor to make it easier for children to swallow.
Until now, there has been no approved malaria treatment for infants weighing less than 4.5 kilograms, leaving a treatment gap, Novartis said. Indeed, they have been treated instead with versions formulated for older children which present a risk of overdose.
Novartis chief executive, Vas Narasimhan, said: 'For more than three decades, we have stayed the course in the fight against malaria, working relentlessly to deliver scientific breakthroughs where they are needed most.'
Is NVS a Good Stock to Buy Now?
On TipRanks, NVS has a Hold consensus based on 2 Buy, 2 Hold and 1 Sell ratings. Its highest price target is $139.24. NVS stock's consensus price target is $113.45 implying a 7.10% downside.
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Listen to some of the songs here: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'Plus qu'une MERE' composed and sung by Ms. Lucky-Lou, the daughter of The President and The First Lady of Burundi: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Zambian Soul Singer Wezi: Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Sunita Daffeh from the Gambia: Listen to all 'More than a Mother' songs here: 'To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, we annually launch Merck Foundation 'More Than a Mother' Awards in partnership with African First Ladies. I would also like to invite the African Community of Media, Fashion, Filmmaking, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields to apply for the awards this year by sharing their creative work on [email protected] , ' concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. Click on the link below to Download Merck Foundation App Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! Facebook: Merck Foundation X: @MerckFoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Threads: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: