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The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in decades are being hailed as a "huge turning point" in the battle against increasingly resistant strains of the infection, according to scientists.

A Worldwide Health Concern

Cases of gonorrhoea are on the rise globally, with data suggesting more than 82 million new cases each year. Particularly high rates are seen in Africa and countries within the WHO's designated area, which encompasses Mongolia and China to New Zealand. Across England, cases have hit a record high, while figures across Europe in 2023 were triple the level compared to figures for 2014.

“The clearance of novel therapies for gonorrhoea is an significant and necessary advancement in the face of increasing worldwide cases, the spread of superbugs and the extremely scarce available drugs currently available.”

Public health authorities are increasingly worried about the surge in antibiotic-resistant strains. The WHO has classified it as a "critical concern". Ongoing monitoring found that resistance to key first-line drugs like ceftriaxone and cefixime jumped significantly between 2022 and 2024.

A Pair of Novel Drugs Receive Approval

Zoliflodacin, also known as a brand name, was approved by the American regulatory agency in December for treating gonorrhoea. This infection can lead to significant complications, including the inability to conceive. Scientists anticipate that specific application of this new drug will help hinder the emergence of superbugs.

Another new antibiotic, created by the drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline, was also approved in concurrent days. This treatment, which is also used to treat urinary tract infections, was shown in trials to be able to combat drug-resistant strains of the gonorrhoea bacteria.

A Unique Approach to Creation

Zoliflodacin emerged from a unique collaborative effort for antibiotic development. The charitable organization GARDP partnered with the pharmaceutical company Innoviva to see it through.

“This approval represents a significant shift in the management of multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea, which previously has been evolving faster than antibiotic development.”

Clinical Trial Outcomes and Worldwide Availability

According to findings published in a prominent scientific publication, zoliflodacin cured more than 90% of cases of the STI. This establishes an comparable level with the existing first-line therapy, which involves a dual-drug approach. The trial included nearly 1,000 participants from several countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand and the US.

Under the terms of its development partnership, GARDP has the authority to license and sell the drug in numerous low-income and middle-income countries.

Doctors treating patients have expressed hope. The availability of a single-dose, oral treatment such as this is seen as a "revolutionary step" for managing the epidemic. This is deemed crucial to alleviate the strain of the infection for patients and to prevent the spread of extremely resistant gonorrhoea worldwide.