Sanofi provides shipment of new antimalarial treatments to Africa

Sanofi has provided the first large-scale batches of antimalarial treatments manufactured with a new semisynthetic artemisinin derivative to malaria-endemic countries in Africa.

In partnership with not-for-profit organisation PATH, the company is shipping more than 1.7 million treatment doses of its ArteSunate AmodiaQuine Winthrop therapy to Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger and Nigeria in the coming months.

The existing botanical supply of artemisinin is derived from the sweet wormwood plant, but is known to be volatile due to a number of factors, resulting in inconsistent pricing and periodic shortages.

Since this new form of artemisinin is safe, high-quality, affordable and nonseasonal, it can complement botanically-derived supplies and widen access to treatment for millions affected by malaria every year.

Dr Robert Sebbag, vice-president of Sanofi's access to medicines unit, said: "This shipment represents a critical step in improving access to effective treatments and combating malaria in some of the most affected countries in the world."

Earlier this month, the company announced a new partnership with Mannkind, focusing on the development and commercialisation of a new rapid-acting inhaled insulin therapy for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.