ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. firm Sequella said Monday it has been granted fast-track status for its drug SQ109 for pulmonary tuberculosis.
The company said its test drug works by a mechanism of action different from antibiotics currently used to treat TB and appears to work against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant forms of the respiratory disease.
"This FDA fast track designation validates SQ109 as a potentially unique addition to the TB therapeutic armamentarium," said Carol Nacy, chief executive officer of Sequella. "This is an important regulatory milestone and recognition that SQ109 may address unmet needs in TB therapy to improve and shorten the current treatment regimen."
The Food and Drug Administration grants fast-track status to drugs that treat serious, life-threatening diseases for which there is an unmet medical need.
Sequella said there are about 9 million new cases of TB reported each year worldwide.
