Experimental Drug Laced with Poison Being Tested for Lyme Disease Prevention
September 26, 2023
By Luke Andrews, Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com
An experimental drug that laces people’s skin with poison is currently being trialed as a potential solution for protecting against Lyme disease. The number of cases of this tick-borne infection has been steadily increasing across America in recent decades, with an estimated 500,000 people now infected annually.
The new pill, which would be taken once every nine months, works by introducing a harmless yet deadly-to-ticks drug into the skin. This causes the ticks to experience seizures and die before they can transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Dr. Bobak Azamian, CEO of the California-based company developing the treatment, explains that this tablet targets the root cause of Lyme disease, making it a powerful tool for protection. He believes it could benefit individuals such as landscapers, frequent hikers, and gardeners.
Although the drug has already shown to be safe in clinical trials, it still needs to demonstrate its protective effect before it can be submitted for approval. If successful, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, the California-based company behind the drug, projects that it could be available by 2026.
In related news, Pfizer has recently removed half of the patients from its ongoing Lyme disease vaccine study due to quality standards violations by a third-party clinical trial site operator. Lyme disease vaccines have not been available since 2002 when the Lymerix vaccine was pulled off the market. However, the number of Lyme disease cases has more than doubled nationwide over the past three decades, reaching nearly 500,000 cases per year.
The disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught early, but approximately 30,000 patients each year fail to notice the symptoms in time for timely intervention. This leaves many patients to suffer from the disease without prompt medical attention. Bella Hadid, a well-known model, was diagnosed with Lyme disease in July and experienced symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, joint pain, and difficulty breathing.
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that hitch a ride in the bloodstream, spreading to different areas of the body. In severe cases, it can infect and damage heart valves and nerve cells, resulting in encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.
In addition to Tarsus Pharmaceuticals’ experimental drug, Pfizer is also working on a new vaccine for Lyme disease, utilizing the same mRNA technology used in Covid vaccines. However, this vaccine is expected to require at least three doses and possibly an annual booster. It is not expected to be available until 2025.
The experimental drug from Tarsus Pharmaceuticals has already passed Phase 1 trials, which demonstrated its safety. The ongoing Phase 2a trials aim to determine its effectiveness in killing ticks that bite humans. Thirty participants will be involved, each taking the pill and subsequently being bitten by a tick. The ticks will be monitored for 30 days to determine if they die. A placebo group will also be included in the study.
The drug’s focus on targeting ticks rather than bacteria raises hopes that it could provide protection against other tick-borne diseases beyond Lyme disease. Doctors emphasize the urgency of finding solutions as ticks continue to advance northward and remain active for longer periods due to rising temperatures.
The cost of the treatment has not yet been established, but it is expected to be based on a similar once-a-month drug given to cats and dogs to prevent flea and tick bites. This pet medication costs upwards of $18.99 per dose.
Dr. Azamian anticipates having trial results by the end of this year, but further phase 2b and 3 trials will still be required. He is optimistic that once they have sufficient data, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve the treatment for use in humans, potentially as early as 2026.