November 22, 2025

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Tanga Medical Research Centre, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Samwel Gesase as the country Coordinator, has been instrumental in the multi-country, multisite Phase III KALUMA trial of the novel malaria treatment KLU156 (GanLum) sponsored by Novartis. Conducted at sites including Muheza and Korogwe in Tanzania, this landmark trial enrolled 1,688 patients across 34 sites in 12 African countries. This important trial showed that GanLum works well or better than the current standard malaria treatment for uncomplicated malaria, Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem®). GanLum achieved a cure rate of 97.4%, making it a potential game changer for malaria treatment in endemic settings, especially against malaria parasites that are resistant to artemisinin-based treatments (ACT).Malaria resistance, especially partial resistance to artemisinin-based drugs, has become a growing threat across Africa, and evidence suggests regional spread, including Western Tanzania, Kagera region, reducing the effectiveness of current ACT therapies. The KALUMA trial directly tackled this emerging threat. The new drug, GanLum, contains a novel ingredient, ganaplacide, which works in a new way to fast kill parasites and have including those resistant to artemisinin also demonstrated transmission blocking potential. This innovation offers renewed hope for malaria control and elimination efforts in regions where partial artemisinin resistance is emerging and threatens malaria control success. The treatment also acts quickly against the parasite stages responsible for transmission, helping to reduce the spread of malaria in communities. If approved, GanLum would be the first major new non-artemisinin-based malaria treatment in over 25 years, offering a novel and efficacious tool to save lives and protect Tanzanian families from malaria cases and beyond. The trial was also implemented in other sites including Bagamoyo in collaboration with (IHI). NIMR is Tanzania’s leading health research institute under the Ministry of Health. With advanced laboratories and expert teams, NIMR drives biomedical research and clinical trials to improve malaria control and other health priorities. Working closely with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), local government, and health teams, NIMR translates research into public health action. NIMR has played a pivotal role in malaria control including landmark studies like the Aquamat trial, which informed WHO’s shift from Quinine to injectable artesunate for severe malaria treatment. It provided critical evidence for transitioning from Chloroquine to Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and the adoption of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) in 2006-2007. The institute has also led impactful studies on malaria chemoprevention in pregnancy and school aged children (IPTp and IPTsc), as well as vaccine trials including the RTS,S malaria vaccine recommended by WHO. NIMR has extensive collaboration and partnerships with local, international institutions, and sponsors, ensure Tanzania benefits from the latest global advances, enhance health resilience through cutting edge research and policy impact.For further details in reference:Press release #Novartis Phase III trial for next-generation malaria treatment KLU156 (GanLum) meets primary endpoint, with potential to combat antimalarial resistance~Novartis Section Title New Hope for Malaria Treatment: Tanzanian Scientists Lead Groundbreaking Clinical Trial ByErick Mboma November 22, 2025 Uncategorized Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) imeendelea kung’ara kimataifa iliposhiriki katika kongamano la kisayansi la American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) kwa… Read More NIMR Yazidi Kung`ara Kimataifa ByErick Mboma November 17, 2025 Uncategorized Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) imeendelea kung’ara kimataifa iliposhiriki katika kongamano la kisayansi la American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) kwa… Read More NIMR Leads Global Effort to Combat Arboviral Diseases Using One Health Approach ByErick Mboma October 10, 2025 Uncategorized In demonstration of leadership in global health research, the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) conducted a five-day Arboviral Workshop at NIMR Mbeya Medical Research Centre under the… Read More Baraza Jipya la NIMR Lapatiwa Mafunzo ya Uongozi na Utawala Bora kwa Taasisi za Umma ByErick Mboma October 9, 2025 Uncategorized Baraza jipya la Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) limepatiwa mafunzo ya uongozi na utawala bora siku tatu kuanzia tarehe 6 hadi 8 Oktoba 2025 na Taasisi ya Uongozi (Uongozi… Read More NIMR Strengthens Global Research Collaboration ByErick Mboma September 30, 2025 Uncategorized The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on 29th September 2025, launched a five-day research collaboration meeting at Mwanza Medical Research Centre, focusing on sharing research findings… Read More Wizara ya Afya Yazindua Baraza la Nimr Jipya ByErick Mboma September 28, 2025 Uncategorized Wizara ya Afya leo tarehe 26/09/2025 imezindua Baraza jipya la Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR), hatua muhimu inayolenga kuimarisha utafiti wa kisayansi, kukuza ubunifu na… Read More CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE SYMPOSIUM ByErick Mboma September 24, 2025 Uncategorized Section Title CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE SYMPOSIUM ByErick Mboma September 24, 2025 Uncategorized Section Title CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE SYMPOSIUM ByErick Mboma September 24, 2025 Uncategorized Section… Read More NIMR Yapongezwa kwa Mchango Mkubwa Katika Kukuza Tiba Asili ByErick Mboma August 31, 2025 Uncategorized Wananchi wanaendelea kunufaika na huduma za tiba asili kupitia tafiti, na uanzishwaji wa kiwanda cha kuzalisha dawa za tiba asili cha NIMR Mabibo kufuatia juhudi kubwa za Serikali kuhakikisha dawa… Read More Tiba Asili Yazidi Kung’ara: Tafiti Zaidi Zahitajika ByErick Mboma August 29, 2025 Uncategorized Imeelezwa kuwa kuna uhitaji mkubwa wa kuendeleza tafiti za tiba asili na kuwekeza zaidi katika viwanda vya kuzalisha dawa za tiba hizo nchini, ili kuongeza tija katika kuboresha huduma za afya kwa… Read More Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. 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