Sanofi-aventis links up with Medicines for Malaria

A major pharmaceutical firm has announced that it is taking part in the largest ever study involving the effects of a new malaria treatment.

Sanofi-aventis is joining forces with Medicines for Malaria to carry out tests into the ASAQ anti-malarial drug.

Robert Sebbag, vice-president for Sanofi-aventis' Access to Medicines scheme, said that the two companies are launching the most ambitious initiative of its kind in Africa.

He commented: "We have designed an innovative field-monitoring program to assess the effectiveness and safety of ASAQ in real-life conditions."

ASAQ is a fixed-dose combination of amodiquine and artesunate which has been developed by Sanofi-aventis and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.

The testing scheme is now under way and is expected to last for up to two years as the effectiveness and consequences of the drug are researched.

Medicines for Malaria is a not-for-profit organisation which was founded in 1999 and aims to reduce the burden of malaria.

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