THE ARTEMISININ ENTERPRISE - GHDonline

2. Introduction to the 2008 Artemisinin Enterprise Conference
ʺWe are at a point in time with an unprecedented window of opportunity. Funding is already in
place for phenomenal quantities of ACT.ʺ ‐ Alan Court, Senior Adviser to the Office of the Secretary
Generalʹs Special Envoy for Malaria, United Nations
In the face of increasing parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine, 75
countries have adopted the 2001 WHO recommendation to switch to using artemisinin
combination therapies (ACTs) for the first‐line treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused
by the P. falciparum parasite. The influential report “Saving Lives, Buying Time” (Institute
of Medicine, 2004) warned that access to effective treatment with ACTs must be expanded in
the fight against malaria, but this must be accompanied by measures to preserve their
effectiveness, such as eliminating the use of artemisinin monotherapies. There is an everpresent
threat of the development of resistance to ACTs and a growing concern about the
global supply chain of artemisinin. It is recognized that there is a finite timeline within
which to eradicate malaria. Given the substantial financial investment now available, it is
imperative that there is a consistent, affordable and high quality artemisinin supply in the
quantities that will be required for the projected demand for ACTs.
Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Artemisinin Enterprise (AE)
comprises three projects with the aim of rapidly improving the production technologies of
artemisinin and developing a more stable, rapidly acting, fully synthetic artemisinin‐like
compound.
In June 2007 the Artemisinin Enterprise met with selected ACT manufacturers and
Artemisia growers and extractors to discuss the goals, plans and timing for low cost
alternative supplies of artemisinin. The meeting was widely considered as highly useful.
The discussions focused the thoughts of the Artemisinin Enterprise partners on the wider
issues of project roll‐out.
The AE Conference 2008 provided an update of progress for the malaria community on the
three projects and went on to consider the impacts and opportunities of introducing the AE
technologies into existing supply chains. The Conference brought together high‐level
stakeholders from the fields of global health, policymaking, industry, agriculture,
economics, access and delivery. Discussions benefited from the expertise and experience of
these stakeholders who were invited in breakout groups to make recommendations on how
best to integrate the new AE technologies. The Roll Back Malaria Partnership joined the
Artemisinin Enterprise as co‐sponsors and their expertise was crucial in helping to devise
and plan the event.
8