Overview
- TB Alliance reported that a sorfequiline, pretomanid and linezolid regimen (SPaL) showed greater bactericidal activity than bedaquiline-containing therapy and the standard HRZE regimen with a comparable safety profile.
- The NC-009 pan-Phase 2 trial enrolled 309 participants across 22 sites in South Africa, the Philippines, Georgia, Tanzania and Uganda.
- By the week-8 primary endpoint, 59% of participants on 100 mg sorfequiline achieved stable sputum conversion versus 45% on BPaL and 45% on standard care, and eligible participants in the high-dose arm could stop therapy by week 15.
- TB Alliance plans to launch a Phase 3 trial in 2026 and is exploring a long-acting injectable formulation that could potentially compress treatment to about one month.
- Developers propose the regimen could be started before resistance status is known to simplify care, while conference speakers cautioned about risks of overexposure and reduced incentives to build testing capacity.