Novartis AG - Basel, Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company - Announces, alongside Medicines for Malaria Venture, positive data from their phase-II/III study of Coartem, a novel antimalarial tablet used to treat malaria in babies weighing less than 5 kilograms. Says that the studies primary endpoints were met, that the drug demonstrated a good safety and efficacy profile, and that the data have been submitted to the for regulatory review. If approved, Coartem will close a significant treatment gap, the company adds.

"Malaria exerts a massive burden on public health across the world, particularly in Africa. Huge strides have been made in recent decades in the treatment of malaria. However, to date, little data has been generated in the smallest children – babies less than 5 kg," Novartis says.

Current stock price: closed up 0.2% at CHF89.12 in Zurich on Wednesday

12-month change: up 1.0%

By Hugh Cameron, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com