Long-Acting Malaria Shot Enters Africa Trials
Early testing in Rwanda could eventually offer months-long malaria prevention to people at risk in endemic regions.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Diseases — General
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Medicines for Malaria Venture and Rinda Ubuzima have launched a Phase 1b clinical trial in Rwanda testing a long-acting injectable for malaria prevention. The study evaluates the compound MMV371 and is the first Phase 1 trial of a malaria long-acting injectable conducted in Africa.
Why it matters
Malaria remains a major health threat, with over 280 million cases and 600,000 deaths reported in 2024, and about 95% of those deaths occurring in Africa. A long-acting injectable could offer prevention that does not depend on daily or frequent dosing, which matters for protecting people in high-burden regions.
This is a Phase 1b trial, an early-stage study focused on safety, tolerability, and how the compound behaves in the body, in Rwandan adults and adolescents. Earlier UK research found MMV371 was well tolerated in healthy adults and showed potential protection for roughly three months, but the efficacy of the injectable in malaria-endemic populations has not yet been established.
The players
Medicines for Malaria Venture
A nonprofit drug development organization focused on developing new antimalarial medicines and tools for malaria prevention and treatment.
Rinda Ubuzima
A Rwandan clinical research organization that is conducting the Phase 1b malaria injectable trial in Rwanda.
The details
The trial evaluates MMV371, a compound designed as a long-acting injectable, meaning a single injection is intended to release protection over an extended period. The Phase 1b study assesses safety and tolerability in Rwandan adults and adolescents, and it also explores efficacy and how the body absorbs and processes the compound. Long-acting formulations of this kind aim to keep a protective drug level in the body for weeks or months, which could simplify prevention compared with regimens requiring frequent dosing.
Timeline
2024: Malaria caused over 280 million cases and 600,000 deaths worldwide.
November 3, 2026: The Phase 1b malaria injectable trial was launched in Rwanda.
Health Landscape
Antimalarial drug resistance, climate-related shifts in disease patterns, and fragile health systems have all increased the urgency of new prevention tools. Long-acting injectables represent an additional approach alongside existing prevention strategies, and their role will depend on whether they prove safe and effective.
For people living in malaria-endemic areas, a long-acting injectable could eventually offer a prevention option that requires less frequent dosing than current approaches. Anyone considering malaria prevention during travel or residence in affected regions should discuss available options with a clinician.
The takeaway
Long-acting prevention could become a useful addition to malaria control if it proves safe and effective in trials. Anyone planning travel to or living in malaria-affected regions should review prevention options with their physician.
Further reading
For broader context on how new tools are reshaping disease prevention, explore our coverage of Diseases — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IGIHE.
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