## [Fortune includes Novartis in 2026 Change The World List for malaria program](/stories/fortune-includes-novartis-2026-change-world-list-malaria-program "Fortune includes Novartis in 2026 Change The World List for malaria program") [Access to Healthcare](/tags/sub-category/access-healthcare) # Fortune includes Novartis in 2026 Change The World List for malaria program For more than three decades, Novartis has been committed to the fight against malaria, one of the world's deadliest diseases. Fortune has now recognized that work by naming our malaria program to its 2026 Change The World list. Sep 23, 2026 Novartis has been named to [Fortune's Change the World 2026](https://fortune.com/ranking/change-the-world/2026/) list in recognition of our malaria program, one of the most significant private-sector initiatives in global health. Fortune’s annual list recognizes the top 50 companies around the world delivering social impact as part of their core business strategy. For more than three decades, Novartis has been committed to the fight against malaria on a sustainable no-profit, no-loss basis. Through the discovery, development and delivery of innovative antimalarial treatments, we are contributing to the goal of controlling and ultimately eliminating one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Malaria causes more than 600 000 deaths worldwide, 75% in children under the age of five1. While great strides were made in the fight against malaria over the last decades, progress remains fragile with new emerging challenges such as drug-resistant parasite strains2. ## How Novartis is contributing to the fight against malaria ### 1. A world-first innovation In 1999, Novartis introduced the first artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria, just as resistance was rendering older treatments obsolete. It has since become the global standard of care for acute, uncomplicated malaria. ### 2. More than a billion treatments delivered Novartis has distributed more than 1.1 billion antimalarial treatment courses worldwide, largely on a not-for-profit basis, including more than 500 million doses of a child-friendly formulation. ### 3. Saving lives and creating prosperity We distribute about 28 million treatment courses of antimalarial treatments every year, largely at no profit. Our antimalarials are estimated to have averted more than 500 000 deaths and USD 24 billion in productivity losses to Africa's economy in 2022 alone3, due to the toll malaria takes on health and livelihoods. ### 4. Tiny patients, big breakthroughs In 2025, Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture introduced the world's first antimalarial treatment for newborns and young infants weighing 2 to 5 kilograms. The World Health Organization prequalified the treatment in 20264, paving the way for wider access across Africa. ### 5. The race against resistance Together with partners, Novartis is developing multiple new antimalarial compounds with the ability to combat drug-resistant strains of the malaria parasite. Our most advanced candidate reported positive Phase III clinical trial results5 and has been submitted to health authorities for regulatory approval. ## Staying the course in malaria – and in global health These milestones and contributions to the fight against malaria are the result of a sustained, long-term commitment to stay the course in global health. Since 2021, Novartis has invested more than USD 500 million in global health R&D. *"This recognition belongs as much to our partners in malaria as to us. Together, we have chosen to stay the course in malaria, even as the landscape around us has shifted. With a new threat from drug resistance, we remain committed to going further, ensuring the next generation of treatments reaches patients that need them."* **Dr Lutz Hegemann**, President of Global Health at Novartis. ![Dr. Lutz Hegemann, President Global Health and Swiss Country Affairs at Novartis](/sites/novartis_com/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2026-09/portrait-lutz-hegemann.png.webp?itok=RJJKp-Bw "Dr. Lutz Hegemann, President Global Health and Swiss Country Affairs at Novartis") **References:** 1. [World malaria report 2025](https://www.who.int/teams/global-malaria-programme/reports/world-malaria-report-2025) 2. ibid 3. Atitallah A et al. Socioeconomic Impact of Artemether-Lumefantrine in Malaria Treatment across Sub-Saharan Africa: A Model-Based Historical Analysis with 2022 as Reference Year. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2026 Apr 21;114(6):1128-1134. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.25-0570. PMID: 42013819; PMCID: PMC13235623. 4. [Novartis malaria treatment Coartem® Baby receives WHO prequalification, paving way for greater access for newborns and young infants | Novartis](/news/media-releases/novartis-malaria-treatment-coartem-baby-receives-who-prequalification-paving-way-greater-access-newborns-and-young-infants "Novartis malaria treatment Coartem® Baby receives WHO prequalification, paving way for greater access for newborns and young infants") 5. [Novartis Phase III trial for next-generation malaria treatment KLU156 (GanLum) meets primary endpoint, with potential to combat antimalarial resistance | Novartis](/news/media-releases/novartis-phase-iii-trial-next-generation-malaria-treatment-klu156-ganlum-meets-primary-endpoint-potential-combat-antimalarial-resistance "Novartis Phase III trial for next-generation malaria treatment KLU156 (GanLum) meets primary endpoint, with potential to combat antimalarial resistance ")