Researchers in Gabon have reported significant progress in testing a new single-dose treatment for malaria, a breakthrough that could change the way the disease is managed across sub-Saharan Africa.
The trial, conducted by the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) in collaboration with international health partners, is testing a novel drug formulation designed to cure malaria with just one dose, unlike conventional treatments that require several days of medication.
Malaria remains one of Gabon’s most persistent public-health challenges, accounting for nearly half of all hospital admissions and thousands of preventable deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Libreville resident Julicia Nfono, who took part in the clinical trial, said she hopes the new treatment will bring lasting relief after years of recurring infection.
“Malaria keeps coming back no matter what preventive measures we take,” she said. “If this new medicine can stop that, it will really change our lives.”
The drug under trial, known as MMV-SQF, was developed through a partnership between the non-profit Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and several African and European research institutions. It targets the malaria parasite at multiple stages of its life cycle, aiming to eliminate it completely from the bloodstream in a single administration.
Dr Bertrand Lell, director of CERMEL, explained that the treatment has shown high efficacy and good safety results in early-phase studies. “What we are seeing so far is encouraging; the drug acts rapidly, clears parasites efficiently, and could potentially overcome the issue of incomplete treatment adherence that we see with current therapies,” he said.
Malaria treatment in many African countries relies on artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which typically require three days of dosing. However, incomplete adherence often leads to treatment failure and contributes to the growing problem of drug-resistant malaria strains. A single-dose treatment would therefore represent a major leap forward in the region’s malaria-control strategy.
The World Health Organization has welcomed the trial, noting that innovations like this align with global efforts to cut malaria mortality by 90 percent by 2030. WHO’s Africa regional office reported over 600,000 malaria-related deaths across the continent in 2023, with children under five making up the majority of victims.
Gabon’s Health Ministry has expressed optimism, saying the research could make the country a hub for malaria innovation in Central Africa. Health Minister Guy Patrick Obiang Ndong said the government will continue supporting clinical trials and scientific partnerships that strengthen the country’s disease-control capacity.
If approved after final-phase testing, the single-dose treatment could simplify malaria management in remote communities, where access to healthcare facilities and follow-up treatments remains limited. Public-health experts also note that the innovation could ease pressure on national drug-distribution systems and cut the risk of counterfeit or incomplete dosing.
The final phase of clinical trials is expected to continue through 2026, after which the developers plan to submit data to international regulators, including the European Medicines Agency and WHO’s prequalification programme, for approval.
Malaria remains endemic across Central and West Africa, with Gabon among the most affected countries. Despite significant gains in prevention, including widespread insecticide-treated bed-net distribution and community health campaigns, the disease continues to exact a heavy economic toll.
For researchers like those at CERMEL, the single-dose treatment represents both a scientific milestone and a humanitarian imperative. As Dr Lell noted, “This is about saving lives, reducing suffering, and bringing hope to millions who still face malaria as a daily threat.”
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