EDCTP-funded malaria research highlighted at ASTMH 2025: Advancing next-generation malaria treatments
Significant advances in malaria drug development were showcased at the 2025 American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) Annual Meeting. Three EDCTP2-supported malaria clinical research programmes demonstrated significant progress toward next-generation malaria therapies, which are urgently needed to combat the spread of antimalarial drug resistance across sub-Saharan Africa and to address the persistent global disease burden.
The CAPTURE-1 study, supported by the PAMAfrica consortium, presented promising data showing high efficacy and good safety of a phase 2a single-dose cabamiquine–pyronaridine combination. Results highlighted >90% protection at Day 28 and potential up to 42-day protection, supporting development of a simplified, single-dose antimalarial.
The KARISMA phase 2 clinical study, also under the PAMAfrica consortium, reported that intravenous cipargamin was non-inferior to artesunate, with faster parasite clearance, including in patients with K13 mutations. With a 97% study completion rate across seven African countries, the data support continued development of cipargamin as a strong potential and novel, non-artemisinin treatment for severe malaria.
The KALUMA phase 3 clinical study, led by the WANECAM2 consortium, evaluated the ganaplacide–lumefantrine (GanLum) combination. Results showed a 97.4% PCR-corrected cure rate and strong efficacy against resistant parasites. If approved, GanLum would be the first major innovation in malaria treatment in over 25 years.
Together, these advances reflect EDCTP’s strategic investment in a strong malaria drug-development pipeline, from early proof-of-concept to regulatory-ready therapies. This work supports African research leadership and provides new tools against one of the continent’s deadliest diseases.
EDCTP congratulates all partner institutions, clinical site teams, and trial participants whose efforsts are driving innovation for communities most affected by malaria.
PAMAfrica is funded under the EDCTP2 programme, with cofunding from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Merck Healthcare KGaA, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Novartis AG.
WANECAM-2 is funded under the EDCTP2 programme, with cofunding from Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR), the UK Department for Health and Social Care (UK DHSC), MMV and Novartis AG.