Strides Shasun gets WHO pre-qualification for rectal artesunate product

Strides Shasun has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its rectal artesunate product for the pre-referral management of severe malaria. The pre-qualification from the WHO for the 100mg rectal artesunate suppositories (RAS) has been achieved with support from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and funding from Unitaid, Strides Shasun said in a filing to BSE. This pre-qualification enables countries to procure life-saving RAS with donor funding, thus ensuring increased access to this potentially life-saving intervention, it added.

"We are honoured to have collaborated with MMV and Unitaid on this project and to have now received WHO approval for our novel-delivery soft-gel artesunate suppositories for use in children suffering from severe malaria," said Arun Kumar Group CEO and MD, Strides Shasun said. The company will now leverage its significant presence in Africa to register and distribute the product where needed on the continent.

To this end, dossiers have already been submitted in 25 of the countries that could benefit most, he added.

On the development, David Reddy, CEO, MMV said, "This second approval of a RAS product from the WHO pre-qualification programme will further expand access to this important life-saving intervention and help save more young lives from malaria."