The first new treatments for gonorrhoea in decades have been approved in the US, raising hopes of a breakthrough against drug-resistant strains as global cases surge to more than 82 million a year.
Health officials have warned that resistance to existing antibiotics has risen sharply, prompting the World Health Organization to label gonorrhoea a “priority pathogen”. Surveillance data shows resistance to key treatments such as ceftriaxone and cefixime has increased markedly since 2022.
Two new antibiotics, zoliflodacin and gepotidacin, were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration this month. Zoliflodacin, sold as Nuzolvence, was shown in trials to cure more than 90% of genital gonorrhoea infections and can be taken as a single oral dose. Gepotidacin, developed by GSK, was also found to be effective against resistant strains.
Researchers and public health experts say the approvals could mark a major shift in tackling a sexually transmitted infection that can cause infertility and other serious complications if untreated. The WHO said the new drugs arrive at a critical moment, given the lack of effective alternatives.
Zoliflodacin was developed through a non-profit partnership aimed at improving access to new antibiotics, with plans to make it available in low- and middle-income countries. Clinicians involved in trials said the availability of an effective oral treatment could significantly reduce the global spread of drug-resistant gonorrhoea.
