On March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day

The fight against tuberculosis (TB), which tops the global statistics of fatal infectious diseases, is one of the greatest medical challenges of all. Someone dies of tuberculosis about every 20 seconds; this corresponds to almost 5,000 people every day. People with weakened immune systems are especially seriously affected.

A major problem is that more and more drugs have ceased to be effective because the pathogen has become resistant. This is because treatment takes at least six months, but is often discontinued too early. As a result, the tubercle bacteria that survive are the ones that have managed to adapt best to the drug. These then multiply and infect other people.

Today's therapies for treating tuberculosis were developed as long ago as the nineteen-sixties. The long duration of treatment – between six and 24 months – makes it difficult for patients to consistently complete the treatment, so that more bacteria become resistant to the drugs. In order to effectively combat TB, new active substances and therapeutic approaches must be researched and developed.

Bayer Schering Pharma is focusing on an innovative antibiotic in its search for new therapies. Together with the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance), we are working on the development of a tuberculosis drug that greatly shortens treatment times. Ongoing studies show that treatment with the newly developed substance moxifloxacin could be reduced to only four months. Bayer Schering Pharma aims to apply for the approval of the active substance against tuberculosis once clinical trials have been completed. The company has undertaken to supply the drug to developing countries at reduced prices.

Click here for more information about our commitment.