In News:

In a significant breakthrough in global health, Switzerland has approved Coartem Baby, the first malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and infants weighing 2–5 kg. Developed by Novartis in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and international health partners, this pediatric formulation is set to fill a critical treatment gap in malaria-endemic regions.

About Coartem Baby:

• What it is: A pediatric formulation of the antimalarial drug artemether-lumefantrine, customized for babies under 6 months of age (2–5 kg weight range). It is also known as Riamet Baby in some countries.
• Developed by: Novartis, in partnership with MMV, with support from the governments of Switzerland, UK, Netherlands, World Bank, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
• Approval path: Authorized under Swissmedic’s Global Health Products pathway, with fast-track approvals expected in eight African nations: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda

Key Features:

• Infant-Specific Design:
  • Dose ratio adapted for immature liver function
  • Dissolves easily in liquids, including breast milk
  • Cherry-flavoured for easier administration
• Public Health Impact:
  • Addresses treatment needs of ~30 million newborns born annually in malaria-endemic African countries
  • Targets the most vulnerable group previously excluded from clinical trials and vaccination coverage
• Safety Advantage:
  • Eliminates the risk of off-label dosing from older children’s formulations
  • Offers a clinically proven, age-appropriate treatment alternative
• Access Model: Will be distributed on a largely not-for-profit basis in malaria-endemic countries

Why it matters:

• Fills a Long-standing Treatment Gap: Until now, no antimalarial drug was approved for infants weighing less than 4.5 kg, despite their high risk.
• Impact on Child Mortality:
  • As per 2023 data, 597,000 malaria deaths occurred globally, with ~75% among children under 5, mostly in Africa
  • The approval of Coartem Baby could drastically reduce mortality in this group

Key Facts about Malaria:

• Cause: Life-threatening illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes
• Most Dangerous Species:
  • Plasmodium falciparum
  • Plasmodium vivax
• Transmission: Not contagious person-to-person, but can spread via infected blood or needles
• Symptoms (appear 10–15 days after bite):
  • Fever, chills, vomiting, headache
  • Severe: seizures, breathing difficulty, jaundice, dark urine, coma, death
• Immunity: Partial immunity can develop in endemic regions, complicating diagnosis