Promising results from a new malaria drug offer hope against emerging drug resistance in Africa. In a clinical trial, ganaplacide–lumefantrine (GanLum) cured 97.4% of participants, outperforming an existing treatment, which cured 94%.

Novartis, the maker of GanLum, based in Basel, Switzerland, says it is in the process of submitting the drug for regulatory approval, and it could be available in 12–18 months. It would be the first new class of malaria drug approved in more than 25 years.