PREVIOUS NEWS IN DR-TB
From our February 2020 Newsletter
Significant advances to the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and drug resistance in adults, adolescents and children are expected, following key updates on new molecular assays, announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in a rapid communication released today.
From our January 2020 Newsletter
WHO announces updated definitions of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis
The definition of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has been revised by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global TB Programme, who have also defined pre-XDR-TB for the first time, highlighting the seriousness of these forms of TB.
Peruvian scientists develop rapid diagnostic kit for tuberculosis
In order to solve one of the most recurrent health problems in Peru, a team of national scientists has been developing a kit for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis, as well as of its resistance to various drugs, using the Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility (MODS) test.
From our December 2020 Newsletter
Overcoming Pediatric Drug-Resistant TB Crisis
Special message from Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's Global TB Program, on the occasion of World Children's Day and World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.
From our November 2020 Newsletter
TAG's 2020 Pipeline Report: TB chapters released
TAG released newly available TB chapters of its 2020 Pipeline Report. This annual publication reviews progress in research and development for TB diagnostic, preventive, and treatment innovations.
‘Urgent investment required’ to get TB efforts back on track, group says
The group found that TB-related targets established in 2018 during a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly are not on track to be met by 2022, and that COVID-19 has rolled back efforts in some cases.
From our October 2020 Newsletter
Landmark TB Trial Identifies Shorter-Course Treatment Regimen
Results from an international, randomized, controlled clinical trial indicate that a four-month daily treatment regimen containing high-dose, or “optimized,” rifapentine with moxifloxacin is as safe and effective as the existing standard six-month daily regimen at curing drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB) disease.
From our September 2020 Newsletter
The European Medicines Agency has updated its stance on Deltyba—with implications for children with DR-TB.
Public Investment in Bedaquiline Up to Five-Fold That of Johnson & Johnson
The driving contributor to safer, all-oral TB regimens may not be who you think, with more credit due to the government than private enterprises.
From our August 2020 Newsletter
Union welcomes EC authorization of TB Alliance’s BPaL treatment for drug-resistant TB
On August 3rd, a new treatment developed by the TB Alliance has been approved by the European Commission for some of the most drug-resistant forms of TB. Learn more about the new Pretomanid drug here.
From our July 2020 Newsletter
COVID-19 Disruptions May Raise Cancer, HIV, TB Cases, Deaths Globally
Mounting evidence suggests the ongoing pandemic will have significant implications for the treatment and pathology of other burdensome diseases—tuberculosis included.
Rapid Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Diagnostics Test is Launched
The new Xpert MTB/XDR from Cepheid offers huge advancements in the profiling of MDR and XDR-TB—minimizing turnaround time and complexity while increasing accessibility.
From our June 2020 Newsletter
FDA Approves Pediatric Formulation of Bedaquiline for Multidrug-Resistant TB
Bedaquiline first received approval from the FDA in 2012 for use in adult patients. Now, the FDA has given Johnson & Johnson accelerated approval to use the drug on pediatric patients five years and older. You can access the FDA’s updated label for the drug here.
Tuberculosis in Children: Underdiagnosed and Undertreated
A deeper dive into comprehensive, up-to-date information on treating tuberculosis in children.
TB Alliance Commercialization Partner, Mylan, Launches Named Patient Access Program for Pretomanid as part of New Regimen
Mylan’s new Named Patient Access Program has been designed to make pretomanid accessible in countries previously lacking access to the drug.
From our May 2020 Newsletter
IMPORTANT NEWS: INCREASED ACCESS TO PRETOMANID/BPaL
Hope of a cure for individuals with XDR-TB.
WHO launches online course to improve diagnosis of drug-resistant TB
WHO/Europe has launched a new online course to strengthen the capacity to diagnose drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) using molecular techniques. This free course, entitled “Drug-resistant tuberculosis: how to interpret rapid molecular test results”, is available on the OpenWHO platform and includes opportunities for participants throughout the world to seek expert advice for their diagnostic questions.
Korea upgrades guidelines for multidrug-resistant TB
Korean patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) will likely get faster and better treatment than now.