New Malaria Drug GanLum Achieves 99.2% Cure Rate in Clinical Trials

In one of the biggest global health breakthroughs of 2025, pharmaceutical company Novartis announced that GanLum, a novel malaria treatment, achieved a remarkable 99.2% cure rate in phase 3 clinical trials — outperforming the standard treatment's 96.7% rate. The drug represents the first new class of malaria medication in decades and is now seeking regulatory approval.

Malaria still kills over 600,000 people annually, the vast majority of them children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. A more effective treatment could save hundreds of thousands of lives each year. "This could be transformative for the countries hardest hit by malaria," said a WHO spokesperson. The drug's simplified dosing regimen also makes it easier to administer in rural areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.

“2% cure rate in phase 3 clinical trials — outperforming the standard treatment's 96.”