Korean company launches anti-malaria drug in Kenya

Shin Poong Pharm in partnership with Perspective Healthcare has launched a new Artemesinin Combination Therapy (ACT) in the fight against Malaria. The drug has demonstrated high cure rates and provides a long-term protection with less reinfection.

Pyramax is a fixed-dose combination of pyronaridine andartenusate and was co-developed by Medicines for Malaria Venturesand Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Company Limited of South Korea.

Perspective Healthcare are the Marketing agents of the Pyramax brand in East Africa while SurgiPharm are the local distributers.

Pyramax is the newest ACT combination to be approved by a Stringent Regulatory Authority and the only ACT to be granted a positive scientific opinion under the European Medicines Agency’s Article 58 procedure.

Pyramax is also the first South Korean product included in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Model Lists of Essential Medicines for adults and children.

The drug has been taken through pre-clinical studies and early clinical studies leading to four successful and important Phase III clinical trials with more than 3,500 patients in countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and India.