Alpibectir + ethionamide

Alpibectir + ethionamide is a novel fixed-dose combination drug being developed for tuberculosis (TB) treatment. This combination represents an innovative approach to TB therapy, with alpibectir enhancing the effectiveness of ethionamide while allowing for lower doses of ethionamide to reduce side effects. Alpibectir (formerly BVL-GSK098) is a small molecule developed from BioVersys' Transcriptional Regulatory Inhibitory Compounds (TRIC) platform in collaboration with GSK, Institut Pasteur Lille, and the University of Lille. The combination works through a unique mechanism where alpibectir stimulates alternative pathways for ethionamide bioactivation, significantly potentiating ethionamide's activity while overcoming resistance issues. This approach allows for lower doses of ethionamide (125-250mg instead of the standard 750-1000mg), which helps reduce the severe gastrointestinal side effects typically associated with ethionamide therapy. The combination has shown activity against drug-resistant TB strains, including those resistant to isoniazid. The combination has progressed through Phase 1 and Phase 2a clinical trials. In March 2025, a 14-day Phase 2 clinical trial testing the combination with first-line TB drugs began. The U.S. FDA granted orphan-drug designation in December 2023. Development follows a collaborative approach between BioVersys (focusing on TB meningitis) and GSK (responsible for pulmonary TB indications).

Other names

alpibectir/ethionamide