India may get its malaria drug by 2018

       

Contrary to the perception that drug research is mostly focused around 

the diseases of the elite, the anti-malarial drug pipeline has increased 

nearly three-fold since 2008, with at least three new medicines expected

 to be launched in two to five years.

India, where a lot of clinical trials have already begun, is likely to 

get a breakthrough antimalarial drug Tafenoquine by 2018. The drug, 

a one-day-twodose treatment, has already entered phase-three trials and 

once approved will replace the current 14-day treatment for plasmodium 

vivax malaria, which is prevalent in India.

At least two other molecules -artefenomel and KAF 156 --are also 

in advanced stages of development with researchers expecting a positive 

outcome over the next five years.

The overall research pipeline for anti-malaria drugs has grown from a mere 

17 projects in 2008 to 46 in 2016 so far. The development is driven by increased 

funding towards anti-malaria programmes worldwide over the last decade. 

Spending on ma laria rose to $2.7 billion annually in 2015 from $130 million 

in 2000.

Investment towards drug R&D alone has grown from $4 million in 1999 to 

over $750 million by end of 2015. Africa, South America and countries in 

Southeast Asia are also likely to witness several anti-malarial drug launches over 

the next five years. “The progress in drug rese arch and development has been a 

game changer for malarial control programme worldwide and this is driven 

by increased international funding,“ said Janice A Culpepper, a senior program 

officer for malaria at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle.

While the Gates Foundation has been leading the drive to eradicate malaria from 

the world and have set 2040 as its deadline, it has partnered various other 

public health organisations. “While malaria is preventable and treatable, eradication 

requires new tools and has changed the way the foundation views product 

development,“ says Culpepper.

WHO says India accounts for 70% of the malaria cases in the Southeast Asia 
        region.

Source: The Times of India (Chandigarh)