Investigational malaria treatment "likely" first novel drug from India, Ranbaxy CEO says

GURGAON, India A drug company based in India and mostly known for generic drugs hopes to transform the treatment of malaria in the developing world with an investigational drug that began phase 3 clinical trials Monday.

Ranbaxy Labs announced the beginning of the trial for an anti-malarial drug that combines arterolane maleate and piperaquine phosphate, conducted in India, Bangladesh and Thailand.

“I am delighted that our anti-malaria drug is entering phase 3 trials,” Ranbaxy chairman and CEO Malvinder Mohan Singh said in a statement. “Ranbaxy has always been at the forefront of research for drugs that are both relevant and affordable.”

Singh said that the drug is “likely” the first novel drug to emerge from India.