A new phase lll trial called Stand (Shortening Treatments by Advancing Novel Drugs), is a novel drug combination aimed at shortening treatment for TB including multi drug-resistant strains (MDR-TB). This new combined treatment is long overdue as the current drug therapies are more than 50 years old. The triple drug combination is known as PaMZ, which consists of two new drug candidates, PA-824 and moxifloxacin, along with the currently used pyrazinamide. Several small trials have shown positive results, now this trial will be conducted in over 10 countries around the world. If this trial is successful this new treatment option will cut the length of a course of pills for TB from six months to four and for MDR-TB from 18-24 months down to six months with no need for daily injections. The reduction in pill burden alone will see the average patient only taking 360 pills as opposed to the current amount of 14 000- thereby reducing cost and increasing chance of compliance.
TB Alliance. 2014. New Tuberculosis Drug Regimen Will Move to Landmark Phase 3 Clinical Trial.
