U.S. clears Novartis malaria drug, awards voucher

WASHINGTON, April 8 (Reuters) - U.S. health officials approved a Novartis AG (NOVN.VX) malaria drug on Wednesday and awarded the company a voucher to speed approval of a future medicine.

The Food and Drug Administration said it cleared the drug, Coartem, to treat acute, uncomplicated malaria infections in adults and children weighing at least 11 pounds approximately.

The FDA also awarded a voucher that Novartis may use to gain a faster "priority" review of a future drug. The voucher was awarded under a program meant to encourage development of medicines to treat tropical diseases including malaria. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)