TB is One of the Most Dangerous Infectious Diseases from a single infectious agent and MDR-TB is Considered a Global Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organization.1, 2

Drug-Resistant TB can Develop or be Acquired the Same way as Drug Susceptible TB—through Air.2

Bacteria can become resistant to any antibiotic due to inappropriate treatment, such as when it is interrupted or the medicine is used inappropriately.2 When the TB bacteria becomes resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, it is called MDR-TB.1

Treatment of drug-sensitive TB takes 4 to 6 months.2

Treatment of drug-resistant forms of TB can take 6 months or up to 20 months depending on the drug resistance profile of the patient.2

Otsuka has had a TB medicine discovery programme for over 50 years and has been a recognised leader in TB research through its commitment to the development of new TB compounds as well as the building of a clinical infrastructure within developing countries affected by the disease.

One of the compounds developed by Otsuka has received regulatory approval for the treatment of pulmonary MDR-TB and was one of the first TB medicines in about 50 years.3 Apart from continuing its research and development programme, Otsuka is also engaging in multiple third-party collaborations looking at shorter, more effective and more patient-friendly ways to fight MDR-TB.

One such collaboration will explore the safety and efficacy of Otsuka’s second anti-TB compound as part of an all-oral, Pan-TB regimen.

 

References

1. World Health Organization. Global Tuberculosis Report 2023. World Health Organization, Geneva, 2023.
2. World Health Organization. Tuberculosis Factsheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis (Accessed 04 March 2024).
3. Gualano G., et al. New Antituberculosis Drugs: From Clinical Trial to Programmatic Use. Infect Dis Rep. 2016; 8(2): 6569.

Information current as of 15-03-2024
Reference ONP-DEL-2300016 v2.0