Artesunate API Manufacturers & Suppliers
7 verified results
Commercial-scale Suppliers
All certificates
All certificates
All certificates
All certificates
All certificates
All certificates

All certificates






Artesunate | CAS No: 88495-63-0 | GMP-certified suppliers
A medication that provides rapid initial treatment for severe malaria in adults and children, supporting reliable supply needs across key US and EU markets.
Therapeutic categories
Primary indications
- Artesunate is indicated for the initial treatment of severe malaria in adult and pediatric patients
Product Snapshot
- Artesunate is available as injectable and oral small‑molecule formulations across multiple parenteral and solid‑dose presentations
- It is used for the initial management of severe malaria in adult and pediatric populations
- It is approved in the US and EU, with additional investigational status in some markets
Clinical Overview
Structurally, artesunate belongs to the artemisinin class of sesquiterpenoid lactones derived from Artemisia annua. Its pharmacological activity requires conversion to dihydroartemisinin, an active metabolite that retains the characteristic endoperoxide bridge essential to the class. This structural feature facilitates interactions with heme within infected erythrocytes.
The primary mechanism of action involves cleavage of the endoperoxide bridge of dihydroartemisinin by intraparasitic ferrous iron, generating reactive free radicals. These reactive species inhibit nucleic acid and protein synthesis across multiple erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium parasites. Protein alkylation targets include parasite calcium ATPases and glutathione S-transferase–related proteins, disrupting essential cellular processes.
Artesunate exhibits rapid onset and short duration of action, driven by fast hydrolysis to dihydroartemisinin and a short plasma half-life. Absorption and distribution characteristics vary by route of administration, and both artesunate and its metabolite undergo hepatic biotransformation involving UGT pathways and cytochrome P450 interactions. Elimination is primarily through metabolic clearance.
Safety considerations include risk of post-treatment hemolytic anemia, hypersensitivity reactions, and potential drug interactions linked to its status as a substrate or inhibitor of several transporter and metabolic pathways. Monitoring for delayed hemolysis is recommended, particularly after parenteral therapy.
Artesunate is used globally in hospital settings, often supplied as sterile injectable formulations. When procuring the API, quality assessment should emphasize control of peroxide-containing impurities, confirmation of stereochemistry, and compliance with pharmacopeial or regulatory specifications to ensure consistent clinical performance.
Identification & chemistry
| Generic name | Artesunate |
|---|---|
| Molecule type | Small molecule |
| CAS | 88495-63-0 |
| UNII | 60W3249T9M |
| DrugBank ID | DB09274 |
Pharmacology
| Summary | Artesunate is rapidly converted to dihydroartemisinin, which reacts with heme to generate free radicals that damage *Plasmodium* proteins and nucleic acids across erythrocytic stages. These radicals can alkylate key parasitic targets, including the calcium ATPase and the glutathione S‑transferase EXP‑1. Its pharmacologic activity is characterized by rapid parasite clearance and a short duration of action due to rapid metabolic turnover. |
|---|---|
| Mechanism of action | Artesunate is metabolized to the active DHA.the endoperoxide bridge of DHA reacts with heme, generating free radicals which inhibit protein and nucleic acid synthesis of the _Plasmodium_ parasites during all erythrocytic stages.Reactions with these free radicals can also lead to alkylation of parasitic proteins such as a calcium adenosine triphosphatase and EXP1, a glutathione S-transferase. |
| Pharmacodynamics | Artesunate is an artemisinin derivative that is metabolized to DHA, which generates free radicals to inhibit normal function of _Plasmodium_ parasites.It has a short duration of action due to its short half life, and a moderate therapeutic index.Patients should be counselled regarding the risk of post treatment hemolytic anemia and hypersenstivity. |
Targets
| Target | Organism | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Malaria protein EXP-1 | Plasmodium falciparum | inhibitor |
ADME / PK
| Absorption | The C<sub>max</sub> of artesunate is 3.3µg/mL while the C<sub>max</sub> of the active metabolite DHA is 3.1µg/mL.The AUC of artesunate is 0.7µg\*h/mL while the AUC of DHA is 3.5µg\*h/mL.After intravenous artesunate, DHA has a T<sub>max</sub> of 0.5-15 minutes in adult patients and 21-64 minutes in pediatric patients.Intramuscular artesunate has a T<sub>max</sub> of 8-12 minutes.Infants less than 6 months old will have a higher AUC due to an undeveloped UGT metabolic pathway. |
|---|---|
| Half-life | The elimination half life of artesunate is 0.3h with a range of 0.1-1.8h.The elimination half life of DHA is 1.3h with a range of 0.9-2.9h.Half life after intramuscular administration is 48 min in children and 41 min in adults. |
| Protein binding | Artesunate and its metabolite DHA are approximately 93% protein bound in plasma.Artesunate can bind to serum albumin. |
| Metabolism | Artesunate is rapidly metabolized to dihydroartemisinin (DHA) by plasma esterases.DHA is glucuronidated by UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 to DHA-glucuronide.DHA-glucuronide can undergo a minor metabolic pathway to for a furano acetate derivative of DHA-glucuronide.CYP2A6 may minorly contribute to the metabolism of artesunate. |
| Route of elimination | The main route of elimination in humans is unknown.In rats, a dose of artesunate is 56.1% eliminated in the urine and 38.5% in the feces. |
| Volume of distribution | The volume of distribution of artesunate is 68.5L while the volume of distribution of DHA is 59.7L. |
| Clearance | The clearance of artesunate is 180L/h while the clearance of DHA is 32.3L/h. |
Formulation & handling
- Artesunate is a small‑molecule artemisinin derivative used in both injectable and oral formats, requiring reconstitution for IV use due to limited aqueous solubility.
- The endoperoxide bridge is chemically sensitive, so formulations should minimize exposure to heat and prolonged acidic or basic conditions to maintain stability.
- Solid oral forms may require solubility‑enhancing approaches to improve dispersion and absorption given its moderate lipophilicity and low water solubility.
Regulatory status
| Lifecycle | The API is in a mature phase, with key patent protections in the US and EU either expired or nearing expiry. Both markets reflect established generic competition and stable post‑patent market dynamics. |
|---|
| Markets | US, EU |
|---|
Supply Chain
| Supply chain summary | Artesunate is supplied by a limited number of originator or primary developers, with branded products such as those marketed by Amivas supporting distribution in the US and EU. The active ingredient is widely established globally, and its long-standing use means patents have expired. As a result, generic manufacturing is already feasible and present in many markets. |
|---|
Safety
| Toxicity | Data regarding overdoses of artesunate are rare.Patients experiencing an overdose may present with pancytopenia, melena, seizures, multiorgan failure, and death.Treat overdose with symptomatic and supportive measures. |
|---|
- Overexposure may result in severe hematologic and neurologic toxicity, including pancytopenia, seizures, and evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding such as melena
- Reported overdose scenarios have progressed to multiorgan failure and can be fatal, underscoring the need for controlled handling and accurate dosing in manufacturing and research settings
Artesunate is a type of Antimalarial
The Antimalarial category of pharmaceutical APIs encompasses a range of active ingredients used in the development of drugs to treat and prevent malaria, a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. These APIs are crucial in formulating effective antimalarial medications.
One widely used API in this category is Artemisinin, derived from the Artemisia annua plant. It exhibits potent antimalarial properties and is a key component in various combination therapies. Another prominent API is Chloroquine, an aminoquinoline compound that has been historically used as a primary treatment for malaria. However, due to emerging drug resistance, alternative APIs like Mefloquine and Quinine have gained prominence.
These APIs work by interfering with the life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite. They inhibit various stages of parasite development, such as preventing the replication of the parasite's DNA and disrupting its metabolic processes. By targeting the parasite, antimalarial APIs help to control and eliminate the infection, reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing complications.
The development and production of high-quality antimalarial APIs require stringent quality control measures to ensure their safety and efficacy. Pharmaceutical companies adhere to strict regulations and guidelines to guarantee the purity, stability, and bioavailability of these APIs. Additionally, ongoing research aims to discover new antimalarial APIs and formulations to combat drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
In conclusion, the Antimalarial category of pharmaceutical APIs plays a vital role in the formulation of drugs used to treat and prevent malaria. These APIs, such as Artemisinin, Chloroquine, Mefloquine, and Quinine, effectively target the Plasmodium parasite, aiding in the management and eradication of malaria infections.
Artesunate API manufacturers & distributors
Compare qualified Artesunate API suppliers worldwide. We currently have 7 companies offering Artesunate API, with manufacturing taking place in 2 different countries. Use the table below to review supplier type, countries of origin, certifications, product portfolio and GMP audit availability.
| Supplier | Type | Country | Product origin | Certifications | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cipla | Producer | India | India | CoA, GMP, USDMF, WC | 164 products |
| Gonane Pharma | Producer | India | India | BSE/TSE, CoA, GMP, MSDS | 166 products |
| Ipca Labs. | Producer | India | India | CoA, GMP, WC | 69 products |
| Mangalam Drugs & Organics... | Producer | India | India | CoA, GMP, WC | 10 products |
| Pharma Links India | Distributor | India | India | CoA, GMP | 7 products |
| Shin Poong Pharm | Producer | South Korea | South Korea | CoA, GMP | 11 products |
| Vital Laboratories Pvt. L... | Producer | India | India | CoA, WC | 22 products |
When sending a request, specify which Artesunate API quality you need: for example EP (Ph. Eur.), USP, JP, BP, or another pharmacopoeial standard, as well as the required grade (base, salt, micronised, specific purity, etc.).
Use the list above to find high-quality Artesunate API suppliers. For example, you can select GMP, FDA or ISO certified suppliers. Visit our help page to learn more about sourcing APIs via Pharmaoffer.
