GENEVA – The global health community is celebrating a landmark achievement today as the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the formal Prequalification of ‘Zolexifan’, the first-ever single-dose oral treatment for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar. This devastating neglected tropical disease (NTD) affects hundreds of thousands annually, and until now, required a painful and lengthy course of intravenous injections.
Developed by the INITIATE consortium, a public-private partnership, Zolexifan has shown a 95% efficacy rate in Phase III trials conducted across India, Ethiopia, and Sudan. The new treatment is expected to revolutionise how healthcare is delivered in remote, low-resource settings where the disease is most prevalent.
Dr. Aris Thorne, head of NTD programmes at Médecins Sans Frontières, commented, “For decades, our field teams have struggled with the logistical nightmare of administering infusions in clinics with limited electricity and staff. A single pill that a patient can take with a glass of water is not just an improvement; it’s a paradigm shift. This will allow us to treat more people, more quickly, and closer to their homes.”
The challenge now shifts from discovery to delivery. The focus for organisations like Gavi and the Global Fund will be on securing funding for procurement and developing effective supply chain strategies to ensure Zolexifan reaches the last mile.
Why this matters for BridgeCure: The approval of Zolexifan is a monumental step forward, but it highlights the critical importance of a robust supply chain. Bridgecure is uniquely positioned to address this next phase. Our expertise in sourcing and delivering novel treatments for neglected diseases, including complex biologics and new chemical entities, is precisely what’s needed to turn this scientific breakthrough into tangible lives saved. We are ready to partner with humanitarian agencies to build the bridge between the factory and the field clinic for Zolexifan.
