Sixty Degrees Pharmaceuticals partners with Yale to develop tafenoquine for babesiosis treatment
From GlobeNewswire: 2025-04-08 08:31:00
60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. signed a Patent License Agreement with Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Public Health to develop tafenoquine for babesiosis. Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that can be life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients. Tafenoquine is not currently FDA-approved for this purpose, but research shows promise. A clinical trial is underway to evaluate tafenoquine’s efficacy and safety in treating severe babesiosis. The long half-life of tafenoquine makes it suitable for malaria prevention. However, it is important to note that tafenoquine is not proven to be effective for treating or preventing babesiosis.
The collaboration aims to develop new medicines for infectious diseases, with tafenoquine showing potential as a next-generation treatment for babesiosis. Babesiosis is a serious tick-borne disease that can be life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients. The partnership between 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Yale School of Medicine, and Yale School of Public Health is based on the need for new antimicrobials to treat relapsing babesiosis, which has a high mortality rate. Tafenoquine, if approved, could become the first prophylaxis available for babesiosis, addressing a critical unmet need in patient care. The clinical trial aims to evaluate tafenoquine’s efficacy and safety in treating severe babesiosis, with results expected to provide valuable insights into its potential as a therapeutic option.
Read more at GlobeNewswire: Sixty Degrees Pharmaceuticals Announces Patent License