Novartis discovers a new path to fight malaria’s drug resistance

Novartis’ new treatment, GanLum, proved highly effective in a Phase 3 trial and may soon become the first novel antimalarial approved in over 20 years.

Why it matters: GanLum offers hope against rising drug-resistant malaria strains, a growing public health threat in many African countries. It could reshape global malaria treatment strategies.

Backstory: Malaria has long been treated with artemisinin-based therapies, but their effectiveness is waning due to increasing resistance. In response, Novartis developed GanLum, a combination of ganaplacide and a new lumefantrine formulation, to target the malaria parasite in new ways by disrupting critical proteins responsible for parasite survival in red blood cells.

Big picture: Malaria remains a leading cause of death in parts of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. The World Health Organization has warned of a crisis if resistance continues to spread. A successful new drug could significantly impact global disease control and save lives.

Zoom in: In the trial of 1,688 adults and children across 12 African countries, GanLum cleared symptoms in 97–99% of cases. The treatment met WHO’s 95% efficacy benchmark and was effective against resistant parasites and in blocking transmission. The safety profile was similar to current treatments, though detailed data have not yet been disclosed.

What’s next: Novartis plans to seek regulatory approval “as soon as possible,” supported by a partnership with the Medicines for Malaria Venture. If approved, GanLum could mark the most significant advance in malaria care in decades.