By Daniel Edu

Gonorrhea, a prevalent and long-standing sexually transmitted infection (STI) known as “The Gentleman’s Disease,” may soon face eradication, according to scientists from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The rise of drug-resistant strains of the causative bacteria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has made the disease increasingly difficult to treat with standard medications, pushing it towards becoming nearly incurable.

Concerns have been raised about antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea treatment, as the bacteria have developed resistance to at least one common antibiotic. Ceftriaxone, an intravenous medication, is facing resistance despite its increasing demand.

While a licensed gonorrhea vaccine is currently unavailable, researchers are hopeful that a potential treatment option may emerge when final testing on an injectable gonorrhea vaccine begins as early as 2026. The investigational vaccine has already undergone phase I studies, confirming its safety for human use, and is currently in phase II trials.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fast-tracked the development of this experimental vaccine, aiming to expedite its approval and widespread distribution among the general population.

In the phase II trials, which began in November 2022 and included 750 participants from eight countries, including the US, UK, France, and Spain, individuals between the ages of 18 and 50 who were at a higher risk of contracting gonorrhea took part. By March 2025, the results of this phase will be available, and phase III trials will commence.

The vaccine is administered through two injections into the muscle, aiming to stimulate immunity. While the mechanism of action is not yet fully understood, researchers have noted that similar vaccines in the past have utilized antigens from bacterial surfaces to elicit an immune response.

Phil Dormitzer, the global head of vaccine development at GSK, expressed his appreciation for the FDA’s decision to grant their novel vaccine candidate against Neisseria gonorrhoeae Fast Track designation. This designation acknowledges the potential of a vaccine that could prevent millions of people worldwide from experiencing the severe health consequences of infection with this “high priority” pathogen, as classified by the World Health Organization.

Gonorrhea remains a significant concern for sexual and reproductive health globally due to its high prevalence. The disease easily spreads through sexual contact, and while it can also be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth, men have a 20 percent chance of contracting it through sexual activity.