Fexinidazole

Fexinidazole is an orally bioavailable nitroimidazole derivative and antiprotozoal agent used for the treatment of both first-stage (hemolymphatic) and second-stage (meningoencephalitic) human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, also known as sleeping sickness) caused by *Trypanosoma brucei gambiense* in patients aged 6 years and older weighing at least 20 kg. It is the first all-oral therapy for both stages of *T.b. gambiense* sleeping sickness[1][2][3][4][5]. The drug acts as a prodrug that is activated by parasite bacterial-like nitroreductases to form reactive intermediates capable of damaging DNA, lipids, and proteins in the parasite[2][6]. Its main metabolites are fexinidazole sulfoxide and sulfone, which are believed to be therapeutically relevant[6]. Fexinidazole was developed through a partnership including DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative)[4].

Brand names

Fexinidazole