DNDi has produced a new report on ‘Pioneering ways of working through innovative partnerships – 2002-2015 – The successful development of a fixed dose combination of artesunate plus amodiaquine antimalarial’. This document reviews the development of DNDi’s first-delivered treatment, ASAQ FDC, and forms part of a broader reflection on DNDi’s business model and its lessons learned over a decade after its creation in 2003.
Prior to the set up of DNDi, the FACT Consortium was formed to develop artemisinin-based combination treatments (ACTs) in fixed-dose regimens, to fulfill WHO recommendations. ASAQ FDC was the first treatment developed by this dedicated team and has proven that solid public-private partnerships can be extremely effective in delivering vital public health tools.
Responding to real-life patients’ needs was at the core of the strategy, including: formulations for all age groups, including infants; simple, easy-to-use regimen; clear, self-explanatory packaging; ability to withstand tropical environments; and affordability. In addition, ASAQ FDC is a non-patented product, which allows for its development by multiple sources, notably generic companies. Launched in 2007 by DNDi and Sanofi, ASAQ FDC is today registered in 35 countries, mainly in Africa, and over 400 million treatments have been made available.
The year 2015 saw the transition of the ASAQ FDC project – as well as DNDi’s second malaria treatment, ASMQ FDC – to our longstanding partner, the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), notably its Access and Product Management team, with a view to consolidating and ensuring responsible implementation of recommended ACTs to fight malaria and combat resistance.
Image © Antonio Mendes
