A malaria treatment specifically for newborns and infants under 4.5kg has been approved, addressing a long-standing treatment gap. Developed by Novartis with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, the drug—Coartem Baby—will be rolled out in African countries within weeks, according to BBC.

Previously, babies were treated with adjusted doses meant for older children, risking overdose. In 2023, malaria caused nearly 600,000 deaths, mostly in Africa, with children under five accounting for the majority.

Experts call the approval a vital step in reducing child mortality. Novartis plans to offer the drug on a not-for-profit basis in high-risk regions, BBC reported.