Early trial results suggest a new antibiotic, sorfequiline, may boost cure rates and shorten treatment for tuberculosis by months. The World Health Organization reported about 10.7 million TB cases and 1.23 million deaths last year, underscoring that TB remains a leading infectious killer and that progress toward the UN goal of ending TB this decade is off track amid funding cuts.
Researchers from the TB Alliance released phase-2 findings showing sorfequiline had stronger activity against the TB bacterium than current drugs while maintaining a comparable safety profile. The trial enrolled 309 people with drug-sensitive TB across 22 sites in South Africa, the Philippines, Georgia, Tanzania and Uganda and evaluated different dosing schedules.
Although participants had drug-sensitive strains—typically curable with existing multi-drug regimens—investigators believe sorfequiline could also benefit people with drug-resistant TB. TB Alliance vice-president Maria Beaumont said the results raise the prospect of a universal regimen that could be started immediately when someone tests positive, avoiding delays while waiting for laboratory confirmation. In many places rapid diagnostics are lacking or inconsistent, which can postpone appropriate therapy.
Clinical site leader William Brumskine of the Aurum Institute noted that a shorter, better-tolerated universal regimen could reduce clinic visits and free healthcare workers to focus more on individual patient needs. Trial site reports of unusually rapid recoveries in some participants have added to enthusiasm ahead of the full data release.
A decade ago, drug-resistant TB treatment could exceed 18 months, often required injections and hospitalization, and cured only about half of patients. The WHO-recommended regimen introduced in 2019 achieves roughly a 90% cure rate within six months for many patients. Researchers hope sorfequiline can further increase cure rates and shorten treatment durations.
The TB Alliance plans a phase-3 trial in 2026. Experts welcome the potential benefits—higher treatment completion, shorter infectious periods and improved outcomes—but urge caution. Kavindhran Velen of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease warned a universal approach could weaken incentives to invest in laboratory capacity and diagnostics, and cautioned against exposing patients to stronger drugs when milder regimens would suffice. Further trials and careful implementation will be needed to weigh benefits, risks and health-system impacts.