iM4TB, through its participation in ERA4TB a European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program is supporting initial development of a long-acting injectable (LAI) version of Macozinone, a potential new therapy for tuberculosis (TB)
LAI Macozinone could help address some of the biggest challenges in TB treatment: facilitating access, improving patient adherence even after symptoms subside, and lowering the risk of drug resistance
TB remains one of the deadliest diseases in history, still causes over 1.2 million deaths every year
iM4TB, Innovation Medicines for Tuberculosis, is a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to accelerating affordable TB treatments, backed by world-class partners like the Gates Foundation, and active in global collaborations especially in ERA4TB alongside leading organizations such as GSK, J&J, Evotec, TB Alliance, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the Pasteur Institute
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MedinCell (Paris:MEDCL)
Prof. Stewart Cole, Chairman of the Board of iM4TB, said: "Long-acting injectable antiretroviral formulations have simplified, and radically improved HIV-AIDS treatment and we are confident that this will also be the case with TB. Being highly potent due to its ideal physicochemical properties, Macozinone is a perfect candidate for the LAI approach. We are thrilled to partner with Medincell and to harness their groundbreaking technology in the fight against the world's leading killer.
Quiterie de Beauregard, Head of Global Health Development of Medincell, said: "As with other infectious diseases, long-acting injectables could represent a true breakthrough in TB care. They have the potential to ease the burden on public health systems by reducing the need for daily supervision and expanding access to treatment in underserved communities. Perhaps most important, adherence to treatment should limit the incidence of drug resistance which is a major problem with current treatments for TB."
Christophe Douat, CEO of Medincell, said: "Facilitating access and adherence to treatment through innovation is a key pillar of global health. In a world facing increasing health challenges, Medincell remains fully committed to developing therapeutic solutions that can benefit as many people as possible. In partnership with iM4TB, we are honored to join a consortium as dedicated as ERA4TB, which brings together many leading players in global health."
Macozinone is a novel and promising treatment under development to combat tuberculosis
Backed by the iM4TB, Macozinone was initially discovered through major European research programs and has since progressed to phase 2 clinical trials. Preclinical studies show that it may be particularly effective when combined with other TB treatments (such as bedaquiline and pyrazinamide) offering hope for faster, more effective therapeutic options.
Unlike current regimens, which require patients to take daily pills for several months, a long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation could significantly reduce dosing frequency and help patients stay on treatment even after symptoms have subsided and when the risk of transmission is still high.
Moreover, LAIs could help lower the risk of drug resistance, a major issue in TB treatment today. Traditional TB therapy involves long courses of multiple antibiotics, and missed doses can lead to antimicrobial resistance, a condition in which bacteria evolve to withstand the drugs meant to kill them. Each year, approximately 500,000 people are infected with multidrug-resistant TB, underscoring the urgent need for innovative treatment options such as Macozinone.
iM4TB strengthens global fight against tuberculosis through ERA4TB consortium
The Innovative Medicines for Tuberculosis Foundation (iM4TB), a Swiss non-profit foundation based at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, plays a pivotal role in accelerating the development of faster, more effective treatments for tuberculosis. Founded in 2013 and chaired by world-renowned microbiologist Professor Sir Stewart Cole, iM4TB works to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and market availability of affordable TB therapies. The foundation has received support from prestigious organizations such as the Gates Foundation and is under the patronage of Nobel Laureate Professor Françoise Barré-Sinoussi.
As part of its ongoing mission, iM4TB is a key member of the ERA4TB (European Regimen Accelerator for Tuberculosis) consortium, a seven-year €200 million public-private partnership under the Innovative Health Initiative within the H2020 EU program. iM4TB leads the Preclinical Development Work Package within ERA4TB, contributing its expertise to accelerate promising candidates such as Macozinone. ERA4TB brings together more than thirty leading academic, clinical, and pharmaceutical partners, including GSK, J&J, Evotec, TB Alliance, Gates Foundation, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the Pasteur Institute, uniting global efforts to combat TB with greater speed and efficacy.
About Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and curable infectious disease caused by bacteria that primarily affect the lungs and are transmitted through the air. TB remains a major global health challenge, with an estimated 10.8 million people falling ill and 1.25 million dying from the disease worldwide in 2023. Between 2020 and 2023, the incidence of TB increased by 4.6%, reversing previous declines.
The burden of TB is disproportionately concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in South-East Asia (45% of cases), Africa (24%), and the Western Pacific (17%). Vulnerable populations, such as people living in poverty, individuals with HIV, and children, are especially at risk. In 2023, around 2.7 million people with TB were either undiagnosed or not officially reported, highlighting persistent gaps in detection and care.
TB continues to inflict severe health, social, and economic consequences, underscoring the urgent need for intensified efforts to detect, treat, and prevent this ancient yet still devastating disease.
2024 WHO Report on Tuberculosis: https://www.who.int/teams/global-programme-on-tuberculosis-and-lung-health/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024
About Medincell
Medincell is a clinical- and commercial-stage biopharmaceutical licensing company developing long-acting injectable drugs in many therapeutic areas. Our innovative treatments aim to guarantee compliance with medical prescriptions, to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of medicines, and to reduce their environmental footprint. They combine active pharmaceutical ingredients with our proprietary BEPO technology which controls the delivery of a drug at a therapeutic level for several days, weeks or months from the subcutaneous or local injection of a simple deposit of a few millimeters, entirely bioresorbable. The first treatment based on BEPO technology, intended for the treatment of schizophrenia, was approved by the FDA in April 2023, and is now distributed in the United States by Teva under the name UZEDY (BEPO technology is licensed to Teva under the name SteadyTeq). We collaborate with leading pharmaceutical companies and foundations to improve global health through new treatment options. Based in Montpellier, Medincell currently employs more than 140 people representing more than 25 different nationalities.
UZEDY and SteadyTeq are trademarks of Teva Pharmaceuticals
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