Switzerland approves first malaria drug for infants
Coartem Baby is a reformulation of the existing Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) combination therapy. The new formulation was developed through a collaboration between Novartis and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), with support from the PAMAfrica consortium.
The clinical development program was co-funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The approval was based on positive data from the Phase II/III CALINA study, which demonstrated that Coartem Baby has a pharmacokinetic profile suitable for infants under 5 kilograms and exhibits good efficacy and safety.
Global Health Impact
Malaria remains one of the world's deadliest diseases, particularly among children under five years old in Africa. In 2023, there were an estimated 36 million pregnancies in 33 African countries where malaria is widespread, with about one in three mothers infected with malaria during pregnancy, raising the risk of transmission to their newborns.
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I am very proud to share that we have provided till today 716 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual & Reproductive care to young doctors from 41 countries in Africa and Asia to be the local Embryologists, Fertility & Reproductive care experts in their countries. Moreover, many of our Alumni were trained to be the first local experts in their countries where they never had even a single local embryologist or fertility specialist before our program such as; The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo, Mozambique and more. Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility & Reproductive care across Africa and beyond,' added Dr. Kelej. 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The book has also been adapted to an animation film. Watch More Than a Mother Animation Film here: Merck Foundation's pan African TV program 'Our Africa', that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma. Watch the episodes here: Episode 3: Episode 5: Episode 10: Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their 'More Than a Mother' campaign. Listen to some of the songs here: 1. 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: 2. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Cwesi Oteng and Adina from Ghana: 3. Watch, share & subscribe to the 'More Than a Mother' song by Zambian Soul Singer Wezi: 4. 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 submit@ 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: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
