Recent news
April 2011
Video now available from GHTC event on new tools in the fight against malaria
April 21, 2011 -- New video is now available from an event that examined new tools in the pipeline to fight malaria worldwide. While there has been incredible progress in the efforts to control malaria over the past decade thanks, in part, to existing tools like drugs, insecticides that prevent transmission, and diagnostic tools, new products need to be developed and delivered in order to sustain and expand the gains to date. The Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) recently hosted an event that focused on the current state of malaria research, the role of donors in support of this research, and the promise of new lifesaving tools. The event was co-sponsored by GHTC members the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and PATH.
During the event, Ray Chambers, the United Nations special envoy for malaria, said that existing tools have made substantial progress against malaria. He added that such success would not have been possible without the involvement of several partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the private sector. But despite this success, Chambers noted, new tools will need to be developed if progress is to be sustained. David Reddy, the CEO of MMV, agreed with Chambers that partnership is key to success, not only with the private sector, donors, and multilaterals, but with academia and African governments as well. Reddy remarked that in areas encountering artemisinin resistance, the development of new combination therapies will be crucial. Ideally, what will contribute most effectively to the eradication of malaria will be the development of “safe and simple” drugs with minimal side effects, such as a single-dose pill, according to Reddy.
Christian Loucq, director of the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, discussed the current status of RTS,S, the malaria vaccine candidate, currently the furthest along in the development process. Currently in Phase III clinical testing, the vaccine candidate’s efficacy trial began in May 2009 at 11 trial sites in sub-Saharan Africa. By October of this year, data will be released indicating the efficacy levels of the vaccine, which is expected to be promising.
In a special guest appearance, Rear Admiral Timothy Ziemer, the US global malaria coordinator for PMI, spoke positively about the progress already achieved, but warned the audience not to become complacent. He brought up the need to continue to push the US Congress to sustain vital funding for malaria as well as accelerate investment in research and development (R&D) for new malaria tools. According to Ziemer, donors such as the US Government should continue to support the full spectrum of malaria R&D, as new tools can help create increasingly cost-effective methods of preventing and treating the disease. See the link for further details.
