Roche antimalaria drug

Executive Summary

FDA approved orphan drug Larium (mefloquine) May 2 for treatment and prevention of two resistant strains of malaria. The 250 mg oral tablets, which will be available in three to six months, are indicated for infections with two parasites, Plasmodium falciparum (including those resistant to other antimalarials) and Plasmodium vivax. The U.S. Army's Walter Reed Institute invented the compound. Development and testing was conducted by both the Army and Roche; both have NDAs, but Roche will be the sole manufacturer. It has been approved in 11 other countries.