The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), long-standing supporter of MMV’s work, has awarded MMV a new 5-year grant of USD 9 million. The funding will be used to address key unmet medical needs in the fight against malaria via the following three projects:

• Pyramax® (pyronaridine-artesunate) Phase IIIb/IV pharmacovigilance study in “real life” settings
• SERC Phase III study to develop a single-exposure radical cure
• DSM265: a potential single-exposure radical cure

These medicines aim to address three critical needs: first, for new artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) to help address emerging resistance to partner drugs in marketed ACTs; second, for new non-ACT combinations of novel compounds to address drug resistance; and third, for simplified treatments to improve patient compliance.

All three interventions are designed for use in underserved and vulnerable populations of all ages (including children under the age of 1 year). Each of these projects are in different stages of drug development (from translational to post registration), and if successful could give rise to much-needed new medicines within the 5-year funding period of this grant.

 “We deeply appreciate USAID’s renewed support and continued commitment to MMV’s work to meet unmet medical needs in malaria,” said Dr David Reddy, MMV’s CEO. “With the help of donors like USAID MMV and partners have brought forward seven drugs that have helped save the lives of over a million people. These new funds will enable us to continue this work and push forward three key projects with potential for real impact. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with USAID to develop tools like these to support their malaria prevention and control strategy that is aligned closely with global malaria goals.”

The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide.