Novartis AG Sponsored ADR's first infant and toddler malaria drug approved in Switzerland.

Novartis AG Sponsored ADR pharmaceuticals announced on Tuesday that its first drug for treating infant malaria, Coartem Baby, has been approved in Switzerland. It is expected that 8 African countries involved in the assessment will quickly approve this treatment, also known as Riamet Baby in some countries. Novartis AG Sponsored ADR pharmaceuticals launched Coartem for treating malaria in 1999, and have now designed a new dose for infants. This drug can be dissolved in liquids such as breast milk and has a sweet cherry flavor, making it easier to administer. Novartis AG Sponsored ADR pharmaceuticals stated that so far, there have been no approved malaria treatments for infants weighing less than 4.5 kilograms, leaving a treatment gap. The eight countries participating in the assessment are Burkina Faso, Cte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Novartis AG Sponsored ADR Pharmaceuticals stated that approximately 30 million babies are born in malaria-risk areas in Africa each year, with a survey in West Africa showing infection rates for infants under 6 months ranging from 3.4% to 18.4%.