Health 6 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Promising Long-Acting Malaria Injectable Offers Three Months of Protection Amid Uganda's Rising Cases
Scientists have advanced a new long-acting injectable drug, MMV371, that provides up to three months of malaria prevention and treatment from a single dose. As Uganda faces increasing malaria prevalence, especially among young children, this innovation could aid elimination efforts by 2030. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/new-long-acting-injectable-malaria-drug-offers-three-month-immunity-5414880
Uganda is grappling with a growing malaria crisis, with prevalence in children under five climbing to 13% in 2024/2025 from 10% in 2018/2019, per the latest Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey. Regions like Lango report rates as high as 32%.
A breakthrough comes from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), which is developing MMV371, a long-acting injectable derived from atovaquone—the key component in approved drug Malarone. This candidate targets parasites at liver, bloodstream, and mosquito vector stages, offering both preventive and curative effects for up to three months per dose.
The drug completed phase 1a trials in healthy UK volunteers in 2025 to assess safety. Successful outcomes could lead to trials in endemic nations like Uganda in 2026.
MMV highlights its potential to protect mobile populations and outbreak-prone communities, addressing gaps in current tools.
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero stresses the need for global investment in innovations to hit the 2030 elimination target. Last week, Uganda hosted a Ministry of Health and RBM Partnership meeting in Kampala, urging faster rollout of new solutions amid rising drug and insecticide resistance.
Existing tools include WHO-approved vaccines for children (launched April 2025), dual-insecticide nets, infant treatments, drones with AI for breeding sites, spatial emanators, and emerging gene drive tech. Malaria claims 16 lives daily in Uganda, costing Shs2.4 trillion yearly in treatment and lost productivity.
RBM CEO Dr. Micheal Adekunle Charles calls for a unified ‘Big Push’ to align efforts and accelerate tools, potentially boosting Africa’s GDP by $230 billion by 2030.