WASHINGTON, March  14, 2024  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (NASDAQ: SXTP, SXTPW) ("60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing new medicines for infectious diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has communicated its intention to send any comments regarding the Company's babesiosis trial within the month of April, 2024, rather than March, 2024 as anticipated by the Company. The protocol submission mechanism as directed by the FDA, i.e., under the Company's existing (rather than a new) Investigational New Drug application, technically does not require a response from the FDA within a specified time frame.

The Company is continuing preparations for a June 1, 2024 start date as previously communicated.

Tafenoquine is the active ingredient in an anti-malarial approved by the FDA in 2018 and is indicated for the prophylaxis of malaria in patients aged 18 years of age and older.

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.

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:

• Patients with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or unknown G6PD status.

• Lactating women who are breastfeeding 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.

• Patients with 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 16 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%) 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.