Cristina Donini, executive vice president of research and development at Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), is leading efforts to develop next-generation antimalarial drugs aimed at addressing rising challenges in malaria treatment. Her work focuses on creating medicines that are not only effective but also affordable and accessible to populations most affected by the disease.

A key concern in current malaria treatment is drug resistance, which has been increasing and threatens the effectiveness of existing therapies. Donini emphasized the importance of new drug candidates in combating this issue, noting that their role complements vaccines and other preventive strategies to mount a comprehensive response to malaria.

Another significant challenge highlighted by Donini is adherence to treatment regimens. She explained that, similar to antibiotics, malaria medicines require patients to complete a full course to avoid relapse. However, ensuring this adherence in malaria-endemic regions is difficult, often leading to repeated infections. To address this, MMV has supported the introduction of a new drug in Brazil earlier this year, which provides a single-dose treatment aimed at preventing relapse for both children and adults.

Further advancing treatment options, the organization is working on long-acting injectable drugs designed to provide extended protection against malaria without the need for repeated doses. Donini credited a global network of experts, including many British-backed scientists, with driving recent breakthroughs. She stressed the importance of continued international collaboration and investment in research to keep pace with the evolving malaria parasite and the mosquitoes that transmit it.

Despite significant progress made in recent decades, malaria remains a major global health threat, causing illness and death for millions worldwide. Donini remains optimistic that sustained scientific backing and innovation can ultimately lead to the eradication of the disease, describing this as a critical step toward saving lives and reducing the burden malaria imposes on affected communities.