Africa's first-ever Phase 1 trial of a long-acting injectable for malaria prevention launches in Rwanda
- MMV and Rinda Ubuzima have launched the first Phase 1 clinical trial in Africa to test a long-acting injectable, ushering in a new generation of malaria prevention tools with the potential to provide protection for an entire malaria season with a single injection.
- Drug resistance, climate change and fragile health systems highlight the need for new prevention tools to stay ahead of malaria.
- This trial showcases the growing role of African researchers and institutions in cutting-edge clinical research.
Geneva, Switzerland and Kigali, Rwanda, 2 November 2026. Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Rinda Ubuzima, a leading Rwandan health research organization, today announced the launch of a Phase 1b clinical trial for a potential long-acting injectable (LAI) for malaria prevention. The study marks a critical step in the development of the compound known as MMV371 and is the first Phase 1 trial of a malaria LAI to be conducted in Africa.
Provided that they prove to be safe and effective, LAIs could become an important addition to the malaria prevention toolbox, complementing existing interventions such as vector control measures, vaccines and preventive medicines.
Why new tools are needed
Despite significant progress against malaria since the turn of the century, the disease remains a major public health challenge: according to the World Health Organization, in 2024, malaria caused over 280 million cases and 600,000 deaths, 95% of which occurred in Africa. The continued emergence of antimalarial drug resistance, changing disease patterns driven by climate change-related extreme weather events and fragile health systems highlight the need for sustained investment in R&D and continued innovation, coupled with greater access to malaria prevention and treatment tools.
Given these challenges, MMV is working with partners to develop the first LAI designed to provide extended protection against malaria. The Phase 1b study builds on earlier clinical research conducted in the United Kingdom, which found that MMV371 was well tolerated in healthy adults and showed the potential to provide protection for approximately 3 months. This next phase will evaluate its safety and tolerability in Rwandan adults and adolescents, explore its efficacy, and understand how the body absorbs and processes the compound.
"To eliminate malaria, we will need not only wider access to today's tools but also the next generation of prevention technologies," said Dr Martin Fitchet, Chief Executive Officer of MMV. "Long-acting injectables have the potential to redefine how malaria prevention is delivered, providing sustained protection from a single administration and expanding the options available to communities at risk."
Partnerships for malaria elimination
Partnerships are critical to the development of new malaria interventions. MMV has a strong track record of working with partners across industry, government and academia to bring new medicines to those who need them. The collaboration with Rinda Ubuzima builds on this approach, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing innovation through locally led research, while strengthening scientific research capacity and generating the evidence needed to develop the next generation of malaria tools.
"Conducting this study in Rwanda demonstrates that partnerships such as this are essential to ensuring that African researchers and institutions are active contributors to the development of solutions for the communities and countries that need them most," said Marie Michele Umulisa, Executive Director of Rinda Ubuzima. "We are proud to contribute to research that could help shape the future of malaria prevention while strengthening locally led scientific innovation."
As countries work towards ending malaria, collaborative efforts such as this clinical trial are helping to pave the way for new preventive approaches and expand the range of tools available to protect at-risk communities.
The study also reflects a broader shift towards conducting increasingly sophisticated early-stage clinical research in malaria-endemic countries and ensuring that the development of medicines is informed by the communities they are intended to serve earlier in the R&D process.
About the partners
About MMV
MMV is a not-for-profit product development partnership working to discover, develop and deliver medicines to treat, prevent and eliminate malaria. Since 1999, over 1.48 billion people have benefited from its co-developed medicines. With over 600,000 malaria deaths every year, MMV unites partners to close remaining antimalarial access and innovation gaps. For more information, visit www.mmv.org.
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About Rinda Ubuzima
Rinda Ubuzima is a health research organization legally registered by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) as a local NGO operating in the health sector. Rinda Ubuzima's goal is to execute all activities aiming to promote health through research. For more information, visit www.rindaubuzima.rw.
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Press enquiries
Doreen Akiyo Yomoah, Communications Manager, MMV
Phone/WhatsApp: +41 79 238 60 74 | Email: yomoahd@mmv.org
Gabin Mbayire, Communications and PR Manager, Rinda Ubuzima
Phone: +250781849415 | WhatsApp: +250737379715 | Email: gmbayire@rindaubuzima.rw