Gabonese researchers at the Lambarene Medical Research Center (CERMEL) have achieved a major scientific breakthrough in the fight against endemic malaria by developing a new, highly effective single-dose antimalarial treatment.
This novel protocol combines artemisinin with three other existing drugs already available on the market. Clinical trials, directed by Dr. Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma, head of clinical operations at CERMEL, were conducted between May 2024 and October 2025, involving over 1,000 patients, half of whom were children under ten years old.
Preliminary results from the trials are highly encouraging: 93% of patients who received the new single-dose regimen were found to be parasite-free 28 days after treatment, slightly outperforming the 90% success rate observed in patients who followed the standard three-day protocol.
Dr. Mombo-Ngoma highlighted the public health urgency driving this innovation. “Morbidity and mortality related to malaria are increasing, so it is urgent to offer accessible solutions,” he explained. The most significant benefit of the single dose is addressing patient compliance: nearly a third of patients currently abandon the longer, standard treatment protocols before completion, often due to their complexity and duration. A single-dose format offers an innovation adapted to African realities, ensuring full adherence.
CERMEL, founded in 1981 in partnership with the University of Tübingen (Germany), is recognized as a regional center of excellence in biomedical research. This breakthrough builds on strong Gabonese-German collaborations that have previously led to other widely tested antimalarial treatments in Central Africa.
To make this treatment widely available, discussions are currently underway with pharmaceutical companies. The goal is to design a single capsule or a combined tablet pack that is inexpensive, stable, and easy to administer, making it ideal for distribution and use, particularly in rural areas.
Malaria remains a critical challenge in Gabon, serving as the leading cause of medical consultations. Data from the National Malaria Control Program (PNLP) indicates that the country recorded over 154,000 cases in 2024, representing an incidence of 62 per 1,000 inhabitants.
While prevention strategies, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, remain crucial, health authorities acknowledge they are insufficient alone to curb the disease’s spread.
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