Plans for new malaria treatment

Malaria kills millions each year

Millions of malaria sufferers could soon be receiving a new treatment to combat drug-resistant forms.

It follows an agreement to develop a new drug between GlaxoSmithKline and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"It could be an important development in the fight against malaria," said Fatoumata Nafo-Traore of the WHO.

The WHO estimates that there are up to 500 million malaria cases each year - the leading cause of death in children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Some of the most frequently-used treatments for malaria are becoming less effective as the parasite can become resistant.

The new fixed-dose drug will combine chlorproguanil, dapsone and artesunate and it is hoped to be ready for regulatory approval in 2006.