GlaxoSmithKline and WHO sign agreement on new malaria treatment

GlaxoSmithKline, a major pharmaceutical company, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Friday the signing of an agreement for the development of a new anti-malaria treatment called LAPDAP. LAPDAP combines two existing anti-malarial compounds (chlorproguanil and dapsone), WHO said. The agreement aims at developing the drug as an oral treatment for uncomplicated malaria, primarily for use in Sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical trials in the region have shown that LAPDAP is effective in treating uncomplicated malaria resistant to other standard therapies, WHO reported. Both partners contributed to the cost of developing the drug, which is to be made available at a preferential price for public health programmes. It is entering its final phase of development, and could be available in some African countries as early as next year, WHO said. At least 300 million cases of malaria occur worldwide every year, 90 per cent of which are in Africa. Every day, nearly 3,000 people -- mostly children under five -- die as a result of the disease.