[Français]

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is pleased to announce funding from the Republic and Canton of Geneva to support the development of zoliflodacin, a novel antibiotic currently being assessed through a global phase 3 trial for safety and effectiveness as a treatment for gonorrhoea.

The contribution of CHF540,000 for the period 2021-2023 will be used to support the phase 3 trial of zoliflodacin in Thailand, one of four countries where the treatment is being evaluated. As a novel, oral treatment, zoliflodacin is active in preclinical models against resistant clinical strains of gonorrhoea and has the potential for significant benefits compared to the current standard of care, including intramuscular injections. GARDP is partnering with Entasis Therapeutics to complete late-stage development of zoliflodacin, including funding and sponsoring the global phase 3 clinical study.

“The support of the Republic and Canton of Geneva to GARDP is a natural part of the policy of international solidarity in favour of disadvantaged and forgotten populations, particularly in the field of health,” said Maria Jesus Alonso Lormand, Director of the Service of International Solidarity. “The Canton thus supports numerous projects aimed at improving access to health care in developing countries, and more particularly the development of new treatments for neglected diseases.”

When left untreated, gonorrhoea can have serious and permanent consequences for reproductive health, as well as increasing the risk of transmission for HIV and other STIs. Women and vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected.

Seamus O’Brien, GARDP Director of Research and Development, said: “We thank the Republic and Canton of Geneva for supporting this important work to develop and make available a new treatment for gonorrhoea. Thailand is a pivotal country in this trial, with the multicounty nature of the study reflecting our commitment to ensuring this drug is available to priority populations in greatest need.”

The challenge of addressing the pandemic of drug-resistant infections, which includes drug-resistant gonorrhoea, will be discussed at an event at Geneva’s Campus Biotech on Wednesday, 15 September. The high-level dialogue, called “Are we ready for the silent pandemic of antibiotic resistance?,” has been organized by GARDP, the Diplomatic Club, the Canton of Geneva (International Affairs Directorate) and Switzerland. For more information on this event and to register visit: www.gardp.org

GARDP is also raising awareness of the urgent need to address drug-resistant infections through an advocacy campaign currently featuring on the inside and outside of Geneva’s public transport.

Gonorrhoea is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Thailand, affecting both men and women, particularly between 15 and 24 years old. In Thailand and globally the infection rate of gonorrhoea is increasing, with 87 million new cases estimated each year worldwide. Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which has progressively developed resistance to globally recommended treatments and has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as among a family of “priority pathogens” posing the greatest threat to global health.

About GARDP

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is a Swiss not-for-profit organization developing new treatments for drug-resistant infections that pose the greatest threat to health. GARDP was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) in 2016 to ensure that everyone who needs antibiotics receives effective and affordable treatment. We aim to develop five new treatments by 2025 to fight drug-resistant infections in newborns, children and adults. GARDP is funded by the governments of Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, as well as the Canton of Geneva, Médecins Sans Frontières and private foundations. GARDP is registered under the legal name GARDP Foundation.