The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in decades have been approved in the US, raising hopes of curbing the spread of drug-resistant strains of the infection.
Gonorrhoea cases are rising worldwide, with an estimated 82 million infections each year and record levels in England. Health authorities are increasingly concerned about resistance to existing antibiotics, prompting the World Health Organization to label the disease a priority pathogen.
Last week, the US Food and Drug Administration approved two new antibiotics. Zoliflodacin, marketed as Nuzolvence, and gepotidacin, developed by GSK, have both shown effectiveness against drug-resistant gonorrhoea. Zoliflodacin cured more than 90% of genital infections in clinical trials, matching current standard treatments but delivered as a single oral dose.
Experts say the approvals mark a major step forward after years with no new options. Dr Manica Balasegaram of the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership said the drugs represent a “huge turning point” in tackling resistance.
Researchers and health officials stress that careful use will be vital to slow the emergence of resistance, but say the new treatments could significantly improve global control of the infection, particularly in countries with high case numbers.
