For millions of people living in malaria-prone regions, a fever or headache can mean more than just a passing illness — it can be a matter of life and death.
While existing treatments have saved countless lives, the parasite is evolving, and the world’s most trusted malaria drugs are showing early signs of resistance. Now, scientists believe a new medicine could change the game.
A turning point in malaria treatment
A drug known as GanLum has shown remarkable success in large-scale clinical trials across Africa.
The treatment combines two compounds — ganaplacide, a newly discovered molecule, and lumefantrine, an established antimalarial drug — that work together to target the parasite at multiple stages of infection.
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In trials involving more than 16,000 patients across 12 African countries, GanLum cured over 97 percent of malaria cases, performing as well as, and in some cases better than, current artemisinin-based therapies.
Why this breakthrough matters
Artemisinin-based drugs revolutionized malaria care at the turn of the century, but the parasite has begun developing resistance, particularly in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.
Researchers fear that without new tools, the world could face another deadly surge like the one seen in the 1990s.
GanLum’s dual mechanism of action gives it a major advantage — not only does it kill drug-resistant strains of the parasite, but it also targets the stage responsible for spreading the disease through mosquitoes.
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That means it could help slow transmission as well as cure infections.
What scientists have discovered so far
Developed by scientists at Novartis after screening more than 2.3 million chemical compounds, ganaplacide disrupts the parasite’s ability to survive inside human red blood cells.
In the lab, it proved effective against all known strains, including those resistant to artemisinin.
In real-world trials, both GanLum and the standard therapy showed similar safety profiles, with mild side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
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Vomiting was slightly more common among those taking GanLum, but overall tolerance was high.
Researchers presented the results at the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting in Toronto, describing the drug as one of the most promising malaria treatments in decades.
Looking ahead
GanLum is now moving through regulatory review, with approval potentially within 18 months.
Scientists believe the drug could first be deployed in regions where resistance is already widespread, complementing existing therapies rather than replacing them outright.
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If successful, GanLum could extend the lifespan of current treatments and provide a vital safety net against future outbreaks — a necessary “fire extinguisher” for a disease that still kills around half a million people every year.
Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra KNKX
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