South & Central America Malaria Treatment Market Forecast to 2030 - Regional Analysis - by Treatment, Route of Administration, and Distribution Channel

The South & Central America malaria treatment market was valued at US$ 59.68 million in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 247.33 million by 2030; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.4% from 2022 to 2030.

Growing Strategic Initiatives by Market Players Drive South & Central America Malaria Treatment Market

A few major players operating in the malaria treatment market are increasingly focusing on the adoption of various strategies such as product innovations, launches, and approvals; R&D investments; and mergers and acquisitions in order to remain competitive. A few of these initiatives are mentioned below:

In 2023, The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine is included in the WHO's list of prequalified vaccines. Following the recommendations of the Malaria Policy Advisory Group and the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, the WHO recommended its introduction in October 2023 to prevent malaria in children. Prequalification is a requirement for UNICEF to purchase vaccinations and for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to provide financial support for their deployment, which means that more children will have access to vaccines as a crucial tool in the fight against malaria.

In December 2021, Zydus Cadila announced the plan to develop its antimalarial drug ZY19489 with Medicines for Malaria Venture, which received US FDA approval. According to the company, the Phase I trial of ZY19489 demonstrated a long half-life and the potential for a single-dose cure for malaria. In a separate malaria challenge trial, strong antimalarial activity was displayed after a single oral dose of ZY19489.

In January 2021, GSK, PATH, and Bharat Biotech (BBIL) declared that a product transfer agreement was signed for the malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01E. The agreement included transferring the manufacturing of the RTS,S antigen portion of the vaccine and granting a license for all rights related to the malaria vaccine to BBIL. GSK retains production of the vaccine adjuvant (AS01E) and supplies it to BBIL.

Therefore, the abovementioned strategic initiatives by the market players are expected to provide growth opportunities for the malaria treatment market in the coming years.

South & Central America Malaria Treatment Market Overview

Malaria has always been a major public health concern in Brazil. According to an article by NCBI, in Brazil, malaria is caused by three species of Plasmodium, P. vivax (accounts for 83.7% of the registered cases), P. falciparum (causes 16.3% of the cases), and P. malariae (records a small proportion of cases).

The government of Brazil launched the National Malaria Elimination Plan, which aims to reduce the number of local malaria cases to less than 68,000 by 2025 and eliminate associated deaths by 2030, as well as eradicate the disease in the country by 2035. Brazil houses the Amazon rainforest, which records the majority of malaria cases. Approximately 99.9% of transmissions in Brazil occur in the Amazon region and 80% in 33 cities. According to the WHO World Malaria 2020 Report, in Brazil, ~2,00,000 cases have been registered in the country in recent years; approximately 99% of these cases were concentrated in Legal Amazon. The government of Brazil is investing in treatment development, pest control, and technical support while also providing training personnel. The Brazilian Unified Health System adopted the National Malaria Elimination Plan, which offers free diagnosis and treatment, takes decentralized actions for diagnostic and wide coverage treatment, and adopts online information systems, multi-sector partnerships, and research networks. On October 30, 2019, GSK Brazil and MMV announced that the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (AVINSA) had granted the Marketing Authorization Approval under propriety review for the single-dose tafenoquine for the treatment of acute P. vivax malarial infection in patients aged 16 and above older, who are already receiving chloroquine as medication. Jose Carlos Felner, the president of the GSK's pharmaceutical division in Brazil, stated that the approval of tafenoquine in the country is an important step in the fight against neglected diseases such as malaria. The introduction of novel antimalarial drugs is increasing the demand for malaria treatment in Brazil, thereby helping authorities accomplish the goal of eradicating the disease.

South & Central America Malaria Treatment Market Segmentation

The South & Central America malaria treatment market is segmented based on treatment, route of administration, distribution channel, and country. Based on treatment, the South & Central America malaria treatment market is segmented into generic drugs, originators, vaccines, and others. The vaccines segment held the largest market share in 2022.

In terms of route of administration, the South & Central America malaria treatment market is bifurcated into oral and parenteral. The oral segment held a larger market share in 2022.

By distribution channel, the South & Central America malaria treatment market is segmented into direct tender, hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and others. The direct tender segment held the largest market share in 2022.

Based on country, the South & Central America malaria treatment market is segmented into Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South & Central America. Brazil dominated the South & Central America malaria treatment market share in 2022.

Cipla Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Sanofi SA, GSK Plc, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc, and Lupin Ltd are some of the leading players operating in the South & Central America malaria treatment market.