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Tafenoquine

Phase 3

Malaria, Vivax | Small molecule | Infectious Disease |GSK plc|Last Updated: Aug 7, 2025

Success Probability

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials7
Total Enrollment1,627

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Tafenoquine · 7 trials · 1 indication

Phase 3 3Phase 2 1Phase 1 3
NCT06666491An Interventional Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Tafenoquine (TQ) and Primaquine (PQ) When Either Are Taken Together With Chloroquine (CQ) for the Treatment of P. Vivax Malaria in Indian Participants Aged 2 Years and OlderMalaria, Vivax
RECRUITING300 Analytics
NCT02802501Efficacy and Safety Study of Tafenoquine (TQ) Co-administered With Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PQP) for the Radical Cure of Plasmodium Vivax (P. Vivax) MalariaMalaria, Vivax
COMPLETED150 Analytics
NCT02216123Study to Assess the Incidence of Hemolysis, Safety, and Efficacy of Tafenoquine (SB-252263, WR238605) Versus Primaquine in Subjects With Plasmodium Vivax MalariaMalaria, Vivax
COMPLETED251 Analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
An Interventional Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Tafenoquine (TQ) and Primaquine (PQ) When Either Are Taken Together With Chloroquine (CQ) for the Treatment of P. Vivax Malaria in Indian Participants Aged 2 Years and Older
Malaria, VivaxUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
Efficacy and Safety Study of Tafenoquine (TQ) Co-administered With Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PQP) for the Radical Cure of Plasmodium Vivax (P. Vivax) Malaria
Malaria, VivaxUnlock trial analytics
PHASE3COMPLETED
Study to Assess the Incidence of Hemolysis, Safety, and Efficacy of Tafenoquine (SB-252263, WR238605) Versus Primaquine in Subjects With Plasmodium Vivax Malaria
Malaria, VivaxUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Number of participants remaining recurrence-free during the 6 months post-treatment and have a negative blood smear at the Month 6 (end of study [EOS]) visit
Up to Month 6

Two consecutive negative blood smears between Day 2 and Day 8, no positive blood smear for P. vivax parasites at any point during the 6-month follow-up period, and a negative P. vivax smear at the 6-month assessment.

Percentage of Participants With Relapse-free Efficacy at Six Months After Administration of Tafenoquine With DHA-PQP and DHA-PQP Alone
6 months post-dose

A participant was considered to have demonstrated relapse-free efficacy at 6 months if: a) Participant had non-zero Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax) asexual parasite count at Baseline (Day 1), b) Participant demonstrated initial clearance of P.vivax parasitemia, c) Participant had no positive asexual P.vivax parasite count at any assessment prior to or on study Day 180 following initial parasite clearance, d) Participants did not take a concomitant medication with anti-malarial activity (excluding study treatment) at any point between Study Day 1 and their last parasite assessment, e) Participant was parasite-free at 6 months. The percentage of participants who were relapse-free at 6 months post dose has been presented.

Percentage of Participants With Clinically Relevant Hemolysis.
Up to Day 180

Clinically relevant hemolysis is defined as a decrease in hemoglobin of \>=30% or \>3 grams per deciliter (g/dL) from Baseline; or, an overall drop in hemoglobin below 6.0 g/dL at any visit after the first dose of study medication. The percentage of participants with clinically relevant hemolysis has been summarized. Safety Population comprised of all randomized participants who received at least one dose of blinded study medication.

Percentage of Female Participants With Moderate Glucose-6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency Experiencing Clinically Relevant Hemolysis.
Up to Day 180

Clinically relevant hemolysis is defined as a decrease in hemoglobin of \>=30% or \>3 g/dL from Baseline; or, an overall drop in hemoglobin below 6.0 g/dL at any visit after the first dose of study medication. Despite additional efforts, no females with moderate G6PD-deficiency were enrolled that experienced clinically-significant hemolysis during the study; hence, the end point could not be estimated.

Area Under the Curve From Time 0 Extrapolated to Infinite Time (AUC[0-infinity]) of Tafenoquine by Weight Band in Participants Aged >=2 Years to <16 Years (Weighing >=5 kg)
Days 3, 15, 29 and 60 post dose

Blood samples were collected at indicated time points for pharmacokinetic analysis of tafenoquine. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using standard non-compartmental methods. AUC(0-infinity) of tafenoquine was evaluated for participants aged \>=2 years to \<16 years (weighing \>=5 kg). Pharmacokinetic (PK) population consisted of all participants with at least one PK sample taken at Days 3, 15, 29 and 60, with accurate dosing and sample time histories.

Proportion of participants in the TQ group having retinal changes from Baseline in Central subfield thickness and Central retinal lesion thickness
Baseline and Day 90(follow-up)

The change from baseline will be assessed as a binomial output as, Yes or No. Spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) images/scan will be obtained. For Central subfield thickness and Central retinal lesion thickness, change from baseline of at least 40 microns (µ) will be consider 'Yes'. Central Retinal Lesion Thickness is defined as the distance between the inner limiting membrane of the retina and the inner border of the choriocapillaris measured in the central 1millimeter (mm) of the centre scan

Proportion of participants in the TQ group having retinal changes from Baseline in Total macular volume
Baseline and Day 90(follow-up)

The change from baseline will be assessed as a binomial output as, Yes or No. SD-OCT images/scan will be obtained. Total Macular Volume, change from baseline of 10% will be considered 'Yes'

Proportion of participants in the TQ group having retinal changes from Baseline in Ellipsoid zone disruption
Baseline and Day 90(follow-up)

The change from baseline will be assessed as a binomial output as, Yes or No. SD-OCT images/scan will be obtained. Ellipsoid zone disruption will be assessed by manual reading

Proportion of participants in the TQ group having retinal changes from Baseline in abnormal auto-fluorescence patterns
Baseline and Day 90(follow-up)

The change from baseline will be assessed as a binomial output as, Yes or No. SD-OCT images/scan will be obtained. Abnormal auto-fluorescence will be assessed by FAF by manual reading

Ratios of Geometric mean (90% [confidence interval] CI) for DHA+PQP AUC and Cmax for treatment groups: Cohort 1 (TQ + DHA+PQP) versus (vs.) cohort 3 (DHA+PQP)
Up to Day 56

Blood samples will be collected on Day 1 (Pre-dose, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 hours), Day 2 (24 hours), Day 3 (48, 48.5, 49, 49.5, 50, 51, 52, 54, 56, 60 hours), Day 4 (72 hours), Days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56.

Ratios of geometric mean [90% CI] for A/DHA/L AUC and Cmax for treatment groups: Cohort 2 (TQ + AL) vs. cohort 4 (AL).
Up to Day 56

Blood samples will be collected on Day 1 (Pre-dose, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 hours), Day 2 (24 hours), Day 3 (48, 60, 60.5, 61, 61.5, 62, 64 hours), Day 4 (66, 68, 72 hours), Days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56.

Ratios of geometric mean [90% CI] for TQ AUC and Cmax for treatment groups: Cohort 1 (TQ + DHA+PQP) vs. cohort 5 (TQ).
Up to Day 56

Blood samples will be collected on Day 1 (Pre-dose, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 hours), Day 2 (24 hours), Day 3 (48, 48.5, 49, 49.5, 50, 51, 52, 54, 56, 60 hours), Day 4 (72 hours), Days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56.

Ratios of geometric mean [90% CI] for TQ AUC and Cmax for treatment groups: Cohort 2 (TQ + AL) vs. cohort 5 (TQ).
Up to Day 56

Blood samples will be collected on Day 1 (Pre-dose, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 hours), Day 2 (24 hours), Day 3 (48, 60, 60.5, 61, 61.5, 62, 64 hours), Day 4 (66, 68, 72 hours), Days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56.

Change from baseline in QTcF for 1200 mg dose of tafenoquine compared to baseline
Day 1, Day 2, day 3, Day 4, Day 5 and Day 6

Contineous QTcF will be electronically recorded using holtor monitors. The primary comparison of interest is the mean time-matched change from baseline in QTcF for the difference tafenoquine-placebo for 1200mg dose of tafenoquine at each timepoint.

Secondary Endpoints

Number of participants with clinically relevant hemolysis change from baseline
Up to Day 14
Time to recurrence of P. vivax malaria
Up to Month 6
Number of participants with treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) up to Month 6
Up to Month 6
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
TQ/CQEXPERIMENTALParticipants in this group receive a single dose of TQ on Day 1 or Day 2 and a single dose of CQ daily, on Days 1 to 3.
PQ/CQACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants in this group receive a single dose of PQ daily from Day 1 or 2, up to Day 14 (or Day 15 if PQ started on Day 2) and a single dose of CQ daily, on Days 1 to 3.
DHA-PQP plus tafenoquine 300 mg single doseEXPERIMENTALSubjects will receive open label DHA-PQP, 3 or 4 tablets per day (according to the body weight) from Day 1 to Day 3. They will receive double-blind 300 mg single dose of tafenoquine (TQ) on Day 1 and matched-placebo for primaquine (PQ) from Day 1 to Day 14.
DHA-PQP plus primaquine 15 mg for 14 daysACTIVE_COMPARATORSubjects will receive open label DHA-PQP, 3 or 4 tablets per day (according to body weight) from Day 1 to Day 3. They will receive double-blind 15 mg primaquine (PQ) from Day 1 to Day 14 and matched-placebo for tafenoquine (TQ) on Day 1.
DHA-PQP alone (placebo arm)PLACEBO_COMPARATORSubjects will receive open label DHA-PQP, 3 or 4 tablets per day (according to body weight) from Day 1 to Day 3. They will receive double-blind matched-placebo for tafenoquine (TQ) on Day 1 and matched-placebo for primaquine (PQ) from Day 1 to Day 14.
Tafenoquine+ ChloroquineEXPERIMENTALAll subjects will receive one of two formulations of CQ from Days 1 to 3 (600 mg \[2×CQ 300 mg\] on Day 1, 600 mg on Day 2 and 300 mg on Day 3, each once daily \[OD\] orally; OR, 620 mg \[4×CQ 155 mg\] on Day 1, 620 mg on Day 2 and 310 mg on Day 3, each once daily \[OD\] orally). Tafenoquine 300mg (2×TQ 150 mg) will be given as a single oral dose on Day 1 or Day 2. Primaquine matching placebo will be given OD orally beginning on Day 1 or Day 2 and continue for 14 days total dosing. All subjects will be followed-up till 180 days.
Primaquine+ ChloroquineEXPERIMENTALAll subjects will receive one of two formulations of CQ from Days 1 to 3 (600 mg \[2×CQ 300 mg\] on Day 1, 600 mg on Day 2 and 300 mg on Day 3, each once daily \[OD\] orally; OR, 620 mg \[4×CQ 155 mg\] on Day 1, 620 mg on Day 2 and 310 mg on Day 3, each once daily \[OD\] orally). Primaquine 15mg will be given OD orally beginning on Day 1 or Day 2 and continue for 14 total dosing. Tafenoquine matching placebo will be given as a single oral dose on Day 1 or Day 2. All subjects will be followed-up till 180 days.
Tafenoquine 50 mgEXPERIMENTALSubjects with weight band of \>=5 to \<=10 kilogram (kg) will receive 50 mg tafenoquine on Day 1. Subject may receive CQ per local/national guidelines.
Tafenoquine 100 mgEXPERIMENTALSubjects with weight band of \>10 to \<=20 kg will receive 100 mg tafenoquine on Day 1. Subject may receive CQ per local/national guidelines.
Tafenoquine 150 mgEXPERIMENTALSubjects with weight band of \>10 to \<=20 kg will receive 150 mg tafenoquine on Day 1. Subject may receive CQ per local/national guidelines.
Tafenoquine 200 mgEXPERIMENTALSubjects with weight band of \>20 to \<=35 kg will receive 200 mg tafenoquine on Day 1. Subject may receive CQ per local/national guidelines.
Tafenoquine 300 mgEXPERIMENTALSubjects with weight band of \>35 kg will receive 300 mg tafenoquine on Day 1. Subject may receive CQ per local/national guidelines.
Tafenoquine 300 milligram (mg) single doseEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive single dose of TQ (2 tablets of 150mg) after standard meal. Participant will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to 300mg TQ (n=300) or matched-placebo (n=150).
Matched Placebo 300mg single dosePLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants will receive single dose of matched placebo (2 tablets of 150mg) after standard meal. Participant will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to 300mg TQ (n=300) or matched-placebo (n=150).
Cohort 1- TQ w/DHA+PQPEXPERIMENTALTafenoquine (TQ) will be co-administered with Dihydroartemisinin + Piperaquine tetraphosphate (DHA+PQP) on Day 1. DHA+PQP alone will be administered at 24 hours (h) (Day 2) and 48 h (Day 3) post first dose administration.
Cohort 2 - TQ w/ALEXPERIMENTALTafenoquine co-administered with Artemether + Lumefantrine (AL) on Day 1. AL alone will be administered at 8h (Day 1), 24h and 36h (Day 2), 48h and 60 h (Day 3) post first dose administration.
Cohort 3 - DHA+PQP aloneEXPERIMENTALDihydroartemisinin + Piperaquine tetraphosphate (DHA+PQP) will be administered on Day 1 and at 24 hours (Day 2) and 48 hours (Day 3) post first dose administration
Cohort 4 - AL aloneEXPERIMENTALArtemether + Lumefantrine will be administered on Day 1 and 8h, 24 and 36h (Day 2), 48h and 60 h(Day 3) post first dose administration
Cohort 5 - TQ aloneEXPERIMENTALA single dose of Tafenoquine will be administered on Day 1
Group 1PLACEBO_COMPARATORSubjects in group 1 receive placebo for tafenoquine and placebo for moxifloxacin on three consecutive days of dosing
Group 2EXPERIMENTALSubjects in group 2 receive 400mg of tafenoquine and placebo for moxifloxacin on three consecutive days of dosing
Group 3ACTIVE_COMPARATORSubjects in group 1 receive placebo for tafenoquine and placebo for moxifloxacin on days 1 and 2. On day 3, subjects receive placebo for tafenoquine and 400mg moxifloxacin.
Group 4EXPERIMENTALSubjects in group 1 receive placebo for tafenoquine and placebo for moxifloxacin on days 1 and 2. On day 3, subjects receive placebo for moxifloxacin and 300mg of tafenoquine
Group 5EXPERIMENTALSubjects in group 1 receive placebo for tafenoquine and placebo for moxifloxacin on days 1 and 2. On day 3, subjects receive placebo for moxifloxacin and 600mg of tafenoquine

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
TafenoquineDRUGA single dose of TQ will be administered orally on Day 1 or Day 2.
PrimaquineDRUGA single dose of PQ will be administered orally, daily, on Day 1 or 2 to Day 14 (or Day 15 if PQ started on Day 2).
ChloroquineDRUGA single dose of CQ will be administered orally, daily, on Days 1 to 3.
Matched-Placebo for TafenoquineDRUGThis intervention contains tafenoquine matched-placebo. Two tablets of this formulation will be administered orally with water as a single dose after a meal. Dose will be taken at least 3 hours after DHA-PQP.
Matched-Placebo for PrimaquineDRUGThis intervention contains primaquine matched-placebo. One capsule of this formulation will be administered orally with water as a single dose after a meal for 14 days. Dose will be taken at least 3 hours after DHA-PQP (Days 1, 2 and 3).
Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PQP)DRUGThis formulation is provided as tablet containing 320 mg of piperaquine tetrasphosphate (as the tetrahydrate; PQP) and 40 mg dihydroartemisinin (DHA). This tablet will be administered orally as single dose for 3 days. For subjects weighing \<75 kg, 3 tablets will be administered per day. For subjects weighing \>=75 kg, 4 tablets will be administered per day. Dose will be taken at least 3 hours after last food intake. No food will be allowed for at least 3 hours after dosing.
ACT plus PQ (Rescue medication)DRUGSubjects with relapse during the 180 day follow up period will be given an ACT plus PQ 0.5 mg/kg for 14 days as rescue medication.
PQ (End of study treatment)DRUGSubjects who do not relapse during the study will receive PQ 0.5mg/kg for 14 days at the end of the study.
Tafenoquine PlaceboDRUGPlacebo TQ tablets will be supplied as a dark pink, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablet that is plain on both sides, with common excipients of appropriate quality.
Primaquine PlaceboDRUGPlacebo to match PQ will be supplied as Swedish orange size B supro capsules with common excipients of appropriate quality.
Tafenoquine 150 mgDRUGTablet contains TQ as tafenoquine succinate. The 2 tablets (2 tablets of 150mg) of dark pink, capsule-shaped, film coated will be administered orally with 240ml of water.
Matched placebo 150mgDRUGIt is the matched Placebo tablet. The 2 tablets (2 tablets of 150mg) of dark pink, capsule-shaped, film coated will be administered orally with 240ml of water.
Dihydroartemisinin + Piperaquine tetraphosphateDRUGWhite, oblong, biconvex, film-coated tablet with a break-line and marked on one side with two "σ" letters containing 320 mg piperaquine tetraphosphate (as the tetrahydrate; PQP) and 40 mg dihydroartemisinin (DHA). To be administered orally
Artemether + LumefantrineDRUGLight yellow, round tablet with "NC" debossed on one side and "CG" on the other, containing 20 mg artemether and 120 mg lumefantrine. To be administered orally
Tafenoquine 300mgDRUGSingle dose of Tafenoquine give on Day 3 only
Tafenoquine 600mgDRUGSingle dose of Tafenoquine given on Day 3 only
Tafenoquine 1200mgDRUG400mg Dose of Tafenoquine given on each of the three consecutive dosing days
moxifloxacinDRUGmoxifloxacine given on Day 3 only
Placebo for TafenoquineDRUGPlacebo given on all three days to all groups except for group 5 on Day 3
Placebo for moxifloxaxinDRUGPlacebo for moxifloxacin, given to all groups on all days except for Group 3 on Day 3
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range2 Years to 64 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites4

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Males and females \>=2 years of age and under (\<) 65 years of age, weighing \>10 kg. 2. The participant has a positive malarial smear for P. vivax with a parasite density of \>100/microliter and \<100,000/microliter. 3. The participant has a screening Hb value \>8 g/dL. 4. T...

Countries:IndiaIndonesiaBrazilColombiaEthiopiaPeruThailandVietnamUnited States
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Frequently asked questions about Tafenoquine

What is Tafenoquine used for in Vivax malaria?

Tafenoquine is an investigational small molecule being developed for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria. It is currently in Phase 3 clinical development and has been studied in multiple trials, including pediatric and adult populations, to evaluate its efficacy and safety in this indication.

Who makes Tafenoquine?

Tafenoquine is being developed by GSK plc, a global biopharma company listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker GSK. The company is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the drug's safety and efficacy for the treatment of vivax malaria.

What phase is Tafenoquine in?

Tafenoquine is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria. It is an investigational drug, meaning it has not yet been approved by regulatory authorities and is still undergoing clinical trials to assess its safety and efficacy.

What clinical trials is Tafenoquine in?

Tafenoquine has been studied in seven clinical trials, with one active and six completed. Notable trials include NCT01928914, a thorough QTc study in healthy subjects, and NCT02563496, a Phase 2 study in pediatric patients with P. vivax malaria. These trials have enrolled a total of 1,627 participants.

How does Tafenoquine work?

Tafenoquine is a small molecule drug being developed for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria. While the specific molecular target is not disclosed, it is being evaluated in clinical trials for its ability to treat this form of malaria, including in pediatric populations.

Is Tafenoquine the same as other antimalarial drugs?

Tafenoquine is a distinct investigational drug being developed by GSK plc for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria. It is not known by any alternative names and is being studied in clinical trials to determine its safety and efficacy compared to placebo.