Overview
- In a trial of about 1,688 patients across 34 sites in 12 African countries, GanLum exceeded a 97% cure rate, slightly outperforming a common artemisinin-based therapy.
- GanLum combines the new compound ganaplacide with lumefantrine, is taken as granules once daily for three days, and was developed with the Medicines for Malaria Venture.
- Company officials reported side effects similar to current drugs and noted higher immediate vomiting likely linked to taste, prompting work on improved flavoring.
- A separate Gabon study of a one-time four-drug regimen recorded 93% parasite clearance at 28 days versus 90% for standard treatment, though experts warn some components already face resistance.
- Scientists and health officials note artemisinin partial resistance is expanding in parts of Africa and warn that declining international funding could weaken resistance monitoring and access to new therapies.