Two new approaches show promise against malaria: Novartis' GanLum (ganaplacide + lumefantrine) achieved a >97% cure rate in a 12-country African trial, while a Gabon study found a single-dose four-drug combo cleared parasites in 93% of patients at day 28 versus 90% with standard three-day therapy. GanLum is not yet approved and rollout is expected to take more than a year. Experts caution that pre-existing resistance to some drugs and cuts in donor funding could limit the long-term impact of these advances.
Two Promising Malaria Treatments Offer New Hope as Drug Resistance Rises
Two new approaches show promise against malaria: Novartis' GanLum (ganaplacide + lumefantrine) achieved a >97% cure rate in a 12-country African trial, while a Gabon study found a single-dose four-drug combo cleared parasites in 93% of patients at day 28 versus 90% with standard three-day therapy. GanLum is not yet approved and rollout is expected to take more than a year. Experts caution that pre-existing resistance to some drugs and cuts in donor funding could limit the long-term impact of these advances.
06:52 AM, 11/13/2025Health
Researchers report two promising strategies as malaria drug resistance grows
NEW YORK — Scientists on Wednesday described two encouraging approaches to counter the rising problem of malaria drug resistance: a next-generation medicine from Novartis and a single-dose, four-drug regimen tested in West Africa.
Novartis reported results for GanLum, an experimental combination of a new agent, ganaplacide, and the long-acting antimalarial lumefantrine. In a trial involving about 1,700 adults and children across 12 African countries, GanLum achieved a cure rate above 97%, slightly higher than a common artemisinin-based regimen. The drug also performed well against parasite strains showing partial resistance.
Reported side effects were similar to those seen with existing antimalarials — fever and anemia — though vomiting immediately after dosing was more common, a problem company researchers attribute in part to the drug's taste. Novartis is exploring flavoring options and is pursuing regulatory approvals; collaborators hope an initial rollout could begin within roughly 18 months.
Single-dose, four-drug strategy
To tackle the persistent problem of patients not finishing multi-day treatment courses, a separate trial in Gabon led by Dr. Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma tested a single-dose combination of four widely available antimalarials (an artemisinin plus pyronaridine, sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine). From May 2024 to October 2025, investigators treated more than 1,000 symptomatic but non-severe malaria patients, about half of them under age 10.
At day 28, 93% of patients who received the single-dose combination were parasite-free, compared with 90% of those given the standard three-day artemisinin-based therapy. Researchers are discussing manufacturing a single capsule or packaged dose to make the approach inexpensive and simple to use.
"The ice is thinning," said Dr. David Sullivan of Johns Hopkins University, referring to the parasite's growing resistance to existing drugs. "It hasn't given way, but we're concerned."
Experts caution that resistance already exists to some components used in the single-dose mix, so that approach may be a short-term solution in some regions. They also emphasize that new therapies should complement preventive measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets and recently developed vaccines.
Broader concerns: The studies were presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference in Toronto. Observers warned that cuts to donor funding from the United States and other sources could weaken surveillance for drug resistance and reduce access to new treatments in the countries that need them most.
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