60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Announces Early Enrollment of First Seasonal Patient in Clinical Trial of Tafenoquine for Patients Hospitalized with Babesiosis

Enrollment is tracking ahead of schedule, allowing potential acceleration of key trial milestones
Minimum enrollment to support interim analysis expected as soon as early July 2026
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is evaluating the efficacy and safety of tafenoquine in treating humans hospitalized with babesiosis at five clinical sites in northeastern U.S.

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SXTP; SXTPW) (the “Company” or 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing new medicines for vector-borne disease, announced that the first patient of the 2026 tick season has been enrolled in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT06207370) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tafenoquine in treating babesiosis in humans.

The study, which will enroll at least 24 patients prior to an interim analysis, is being conducted at five clinical sites in the Northeastern United States. The two main endpoints of the trial (clinical symptom resolution and parasite clearance) will be subject to separate interim analyses as data become available.

This patient enrollment puts the Company approximately one month ahead of schedule in recruiting trial participants for the 2026 tick season, suggesting that minimum enrollment in the study could be achieved as soon as early July. Approximately 50 days following enrollment completion, the Company intends to announce the planned date of the interim analyses of study data.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne illness caused by Babesia parasites that develop and multiply in red blood cells. It is often found as a co-infection of Lyme disease. Symptoms include fevers, chills, sweats, and fatigue. In severe cases, babesiosis can be life-threatening in elderly and immunosuppressed patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that emergency room visits for tick bites are currently at historically high levels in many regions of the U.S.

Tafenoquine is approved for malaria prophylaxis in the United States under the product name ARAKODA^®. Tafenoquine has not been proven to be effective for treatment or prevention of babesiosis and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for such an indication.

About the Tafenoquine in Acute Cases of Babesiosis Study
NCT06207370 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling patients in multiple sites in the Northeast U.S. comparing the safety and efficacy of tafenoquine versus placebo in patients hospitalized for babesiosis and receiving atovaquone/azithromycin. The two main study endpoints are: Time to sustained clinical resolution of symptoms of babesiosis, and molecular cure as determined using a commercially available PCR assay. At least 24 patients will be recruited before an interim analysis is conducted. The interim analysis will include a test of significance and a size re-estimation to allow additional recruitment if required, with the two main study endpoints being subjected to separate interim analyses. The study is being conducted at five hospitals in the northeastern United States.

About ARAKODA® (tafenoquine)
Tafenoquine was discovered by Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Tafenoquine was approved for malaria prophylaxis in 2018 in the United States as ARAKODA® and in Australia as KODATEF®. Both were commercially launched in 2019 and are currently distributed through pharmaceutical wholesaler networks in each respective country. They are available at retail pharmacies as a prescription-only malaria prevention drug. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the long terminal half-life of tafenoquine, which is approximately 16 days, may offer potential advantages in less-frequent dosing for prophylaxis for malaria. ARAKODA is not suitable for everyone, and patients and prescribers should review the Important Safety Information below. Individuals at risk of contracting malaria are prescribed ARAKODA 2 x 100 mg tablets once per day for three days (the loading phase) prior to travel to an area of the world where malaria is endemic, 2 x 100 mg tablets weekly for up to six months during travel, then 2 x 100 mg in the week following travel.

ARAKODA® (tafenoquine) Important Safety Information
ARAKODA® is an antimalarial indicated for the prophylaxis of malaria in patients aged 18 years of age and older.

Contraindications
ARAKODA® should not be administered to:

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (“G6PD”) deficiency or unknown G6PD status;
Breastfeeding by a lactating woman when the infant is found to be G6PD deficient or if
G6PD status is unknown;
Patients with a history of psychotic disorders or current psychotic symptoms; or
Known hypersensitivity reactions to tafenoquine, other 8-aminoquinolines, or any component of ARAKODA®.

Warnings and Precautions
Hemolytic Anemia: G6PD testing must be performed before prescribing ARAKODA® due to the risk of hemolytic anemia. Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of hemolysis.

G6PD Deficiency in Pregnancy or Lactation: ARAKODA® may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman with a G6PD-deficient fetus. ARAKODA® is not recommended during pregnancy. A G6PD-deficient infant may be at risk for hemolytic anemia from exposure to ARAKODA® through breast milk. Check infant’s G6PD status before breastfeeding begins.

Methemoglobinemia: Asymptomatic elevations in blood methemoglobin have been observed. Initiate appropriate therapy if signs or symptoms of methemoglobinemia occur.

Psychiatric Effects: Serious psychotic adverse reactions have been observed in patients with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, at doses different from the approved dose. If psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, or grossly disorganized thinking or behavior) occur, consider discontinuation of ARAKODA® therapy and evaluation by a mental health professional as soon as possible.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been observed with administration of ARAKODA®. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, institute appropriate therapy.

Delayed Adverse Reactions: Due to the long half-life of ARAKODA® (approximately 17 days), psychiatric effects, hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, and hypersensitivity reactions may be delayed in onset and/or duration.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 1 percent) were: headache, dizziness, back pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased alanine aminotransferase, motion sickness, insomnia, depression, abnormal dreams, and anxiety.

Drug Interactions
Avoid co-administration with drugs that are substrates of organic cation transporter-2 or multidrug and toxin extrusion transporters.

Use in Specific Populations
Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed a G6PD-deficient infant or infant with unknown G6PD status during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of ARAKODA®.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1- 888-834-0225 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. The full prescribing information of ARAKODA® is located here.

About 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc., founded in 2010, specializes in developing and commercializing new medicines for the treatment and prevention of vector-borne disease. The Company achieved U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of its lead product, ARAKODA® (tafenoquine), for malaria prevention, in 2018. ARAKODA is commercially available in the U.S. and Australia. 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. also collaborates with prominent research and academic organizations in the U.S. and Australia. 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a subsidiary in Australia. Learn more at www.60degreespharma.com.

The statements contained herein may include prospects, statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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Media Contact
Sheila A. Burke
SheilaBurke-consultant@60degreespharma.com
(484) 667-6330

Investor Contact
Patrick Gaynes
patrickgaynes@60degreespharma

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