Recruitment Phase of Malaria in Pregnancy Trial Completed

A Malaria in Pregnancy Preventive Alternative Drugs (MiPPAD) clinical trial led by Prof. Clara Menéndez, Director of Women's, Children's, and Reproductive Health at the Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), has completed the recruitment of 4734 volunteer pregnant women. The aim of the MiPPAD trials is to contribute to the development of new clinical interventions to reduce the incidence and effects of malaria in pregnancy (MiP).

MiP is among the main causes of low birth weight and is also the leading cause of severe maternal anaemia, which is associated with an increased risk of maternal mortality. 

Funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the trial led by Prof. Menéndez will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of mefloquine as an alternative drug for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (ITPp). 

A second trial within the same programme will evaluate mefloquine in HIV-infected pregnant women. Alternative treatments are a priority in this case as the standard ITPp treatment is not recommended in HIV-positive women receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis or antiretroviral drugs.

The study is part of the global effort by the Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium to fight malaria in pregnant women. The MiPPAD trials are supported by several international institutes, including CRESIB and the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM) in Mozambique.

For more information visit

Malaria in Pregnancy Preventive Alternative Drugs (MiPPAD)