Tecovirimat Fails in PALM007 Trial for Mpox Lesion Resolution in DRC

Aug 15, 2024, 12:09 PM

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has reported that the antiviral drug tecovirimat did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in resolving mpox lesions within 28 days in the PALM007 trial. This trial, conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, focused on clade I of the mpox virus, which is known for causing more severe disease. The initial analysis showed no reduction in lesion duration among children and adults. These findings are particularly concerning following the World Health Organization's recent declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, as the more pathogenic clade 1b spreads rapidly in Africa.