Malaria Injectable Trial Launches in Rwanda
A Phase 1b study is testing a long-acting malaria prevention injection in adults and adolescents in Rwanda.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Diseases — General
Live Poll
Should governments invest more in new malaria prevention research?
Medicines for Malaria Venture and Rinda Ubuzima have launched a Phase 1b clinical trial of MMV371, a long-acting injectable for malaria prevention, in Rwanda. The study is the first Phase 1 trial of a malaria long-acting injectable conducted in Africa.
Why it matters
Malaria caused over 280 million cases and 600,000 deaths in 2024, with about 95% of deaths occurring in Africa. Long-acting injectables could become an important addition to the malaria prevention toolbox if they prove safe and effective.
Earlier UK research found MMV371 was well tolerated in healthy adults and could protect for roughly 3 months, but efficacy in the Rwandan study population has not yet been shown. Global malaria burden in 2024 reached over 280 million cases and 600,000 deaths.
The players
Medicines for Malaria Venture
Medicines for Malaria Venture is a non-profit drug development organization that works to discover and develop new antimalarial medicines.
Rinda Ubuzima
Rinda Ubuzima is a Rwandan clinical research organization that partnered on the Phase 1b malaria injectable trial.
The details
The Phase 1b study assesses safety and tolerability in Rwandan adults and adolescents, and explores efficacy as well as how the body absorbs and processes MMV371. Antimalarial drug resistance, climate-related shifts in disease patterns and fragile health systems underscore the continued need for investment in malaria research and development.
Timeline
• November 3, 2026: Phase 1b malaria injectable trial launched in Rwanda.
• 2024: Malaria caused over 280 million cases and 600,000 deaths worldwide.
Health Landscape
The trial extends Medicines for Malaria Venture's antimalarial development pipeline into long-acting injectable formulations, building on earlier UK clinical research on the compound MMV371. It moves a prevention candidate into its first Phase 1 study in Africa, where about 95% of the world's malaria deaths occurred in 2024.
If the injectable proves safe and effective, it could offer a longer-lasting prevention option that does not depend on daily dosing. The study is at an early stage, so no product is available to patients yet.
The takeaway
Long-acting prevention tools are still in early testing, so readers should continue to rely on current, approved malaria prevention measures. Progress from Phase 1 studies is typically measured over several years before any new option reaches patients.
Further reading
Explore more on Diseases — General for context on malaria and other infectious conditions.
Live Poll
Should governments invest more in new malaria prevention research?
