Artesunate for injection

Artesunate for injection

Access
-
Approved
Artesun®
Fosun Pharma
Severe malaria treatment (TPP-1)
Therapeutic indication
  • Treatment of severe malaria caused by the parasite P. falciparum, to be followed by a full course of ACT

Dosing
  • At least 3 injections within 1 day during critical phase

Efficacy
  • 92% survival vs 88% survival with quinine in African children

  • Coma duration, convulsions, and hypoglycaemia significantly lower with artesunate compared to quinine

Key features
  • WHO-prequalified injectable artesunate

  • Cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted: US$ 3.8

  • 3-year shelf life

Challenges
  • Potential for delayed haemolytic anaemia

  • Continued use of quinine or artemether for injection

  • Must be followed up with ACT to avoid artemisinin monotherapy use
Status
  • WHO prequalification in 2010

  • Approved in 36 countries; 280 million Artesun® vials shipped since prequalification up to and including 2022

Next milestone
  • Simplified injectable artesunate two-vial formulation currently under review for WHO prequalification

Project Director
  • Hans Rietveld