China’s Malaria R&D Innovations: A Scoping Review from 2013–2023

Abstract

Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Understanding the research progress of the potential innovative tools is important for malaria elimination. This scoping review aims to explore China’s research and development (R&D) advances from 2013–2023 in addressing the current challenges and contributing to global malaria elimination. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), this review searched the English and Simplified Chinese data sources from five databases. A total of 11,112 English articles and 2,944 Chinese articles were retrieved. After screening, 44 English and 13 Chinese articles were included. Key advancements were identified in three domains: vector control, pathogen screening and diagnosis, and prevention and treatment. Innovations in vector control include studies such as the use of Serratia strains and symbiont-mediated RNAi approaches to block malaria transmission. Advances in pathogen screening and diagnosis feature biosensor development, AI monitoring technologies, and novel amplification gene and nucleic acid detection technologies. In prevention and treatment, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain a cornerstone, with additional progress in industrial pharmaceuticals and technologies already in field and semi-field-testing stages. This review underscores the importance of leveraging China’s R&D capacity to meet global challenges. To maximize impact, we call for global attention to strengthening international collaboration with China in malaria R&D to accelerate the commercialization, regulatory approval, and large-scale deployment of innovations.