🔗 Share this article

The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in a generation are being hailed as a "huge turning point" in the battle against drug-resistant strains of the pathogen, according to scientists.

A Worldwide Challenge

Cases of gonorrhoea are on the rise worldwide, with data suggesting in excess of 82 million instances annually. Notably increased rates are seen in Africa and nations within the WHO's Western Pacific region, which encompasses Mongolia and China to New Zealand. Across England, cases have reached a all-time high, while rates across Europe in 2023 were three times higher compared to those in 2014.

“The authorization of novel therapies for gonorrhoea is an significant and necessary step in the reality of rising global incidence, escalating drug resistance and the highly restricted treatment choices presently on offer.”

Public health authorities are particularly alarmed about the surge in antibiotic-resistant strains. The global health body has listed it as a "critical concern". Recent surveillance showed that the effectiveness of key first-line drugs like ceftriaxone and cefixime jumped significantly between 2022 and 2024.

Recent Therapies Receive Approval

One new antibiotic, alternatively called Nuzolvence, was approved by the US FDA in recent days for treating gonorrhoea. This STI can lead to serious health problems, including infertility. Scientists believe that targeted use of this new drug will help slow the development of resistance.

Gepotidacin, developed by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, was also approved in concurrent days. This drug, which is also used to treat urinary tract infections, was shown in trials to be effective against superbug versions of the gonorrhoea bacteria.

An Innovative Partnership

This new treatment emerged from a innovative non-profit model for drug creation. The non-profit organisation GARDP partnered with the pharmaceutical company Innoviva to bring it to fruition.

“This milestone signifies a major breakthrough in the management of highly resistant gonorrhoea, which previously has been outpacing our drug pipeline.”

Testing Data and Worldwide Availability

According to data detailed in a major medical journal, zoliflodacin eradicated the vast majority of cases of the STI. This places it at an comparable level with the current standard treatment, which involves two antibiotics. The research included over 900 participants from multiple nations including Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand and the US.

Through the arrangement of its development partnership, GARDP has the rights to license and sell the drug in many developing nations.

Medical professionals treating patients have expressed positive views. The availability of a single-dose, oral treatment of this kind is seen as a "game-changer" for gonorrhoea control. This is considered essential to lessen the impact of the infection for patients and to prevent the spread of untreatable gonorrhoea around the world.