MMV - Anti-Malarial Drug Development

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a not-for-profit public-private partnership, was established as a foundation in Switzerland in 1999. It is dedicated to reducing the burden of malaria in disease-endemic countries by discovering, developing and facilitating delivery of new, effective and affordable anti-malarial drugs.

Our vision is a world in which these innovative medicines will cure and protect the vulnerable and under-served populations at risk of malaria, and help to ultimately eradicate this terrible disease.

Discovery, development and delivery of affordable anti-malarial drugs

MMV’s mission is to bring public, private and philanthropic sector partners together in order to fund and manage the discovery, development and delivery of new medicines for the treatment and prevention of malaria in disease-endemic countries. The ultimate aim is to have a large, positive impact on public health in these countries.

Portfolio of anti-malarial projects

MMV is currently managing the world's largest-ever portfolio of over 50 anti-malarial projects in collaboration with over 130 pharmaceutical, academic and endemic-country partners in 44 countries.

New paediatric anti-malarial formulation

In collaboration with partners, MMV has recently launched its first ever product – a sweet, paediatric anti-malarial formulation called Coartem® Dispersible. Another MMV-supported product, Eurartesim™, has been submitted to the EMEA for approval and a third, Pyramax®, is being prepared for submission in 2010.

Anti-malarial medicines in development

Seven further potential anti-malarial medicines are in clinical development. The portfolio of discovery projects includes 19 completely new classes of compounds.

The importance of partnerships in anti-malarial drug research

MMV has received over $470 million in funds and commitments from 14 major donors, which include government agencies, private foundations, international organisations, and corporate foundations. Anti-malarial research is carried out in the laboratories and clinical trial sites of its research partners, and industry partners are contributing to the effort through staff, facilities and technology.

With this solid foundation of partnerships, MMV is well placed to deliver a range of new medicines. These are just part of a whole strategy that, with an array of other tools and schemes, will finally be capable of defeating malaria once and for all.