TB Alliance is gratified to see clear progress against tuberculosis in the latest WHO Global TB Control Report. While TB remains one of the world’s most urgent health crises, these gains reflect the dedication of researchers, ministries of health, clinicians, communities, donors, and—most importantly—people affected by TB who have helped reverse years of COVID-related backsliding. The rebound shows that progress is possible when science, partnerships, and persistence align.
We are especially encouraged by advances in the treatment of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). Countries are adopting shorter, all-oral regimens, and the growing uptake of BPaL/M regimens (bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, with or without moxifloxacin) is driving better outcomes. Shorter, simpler, safer care helps people return to their lives faster, reduces stigma, supports treatment completion, and saves costs for both people with TB and health systems.
As the developer of pretomanid, TB Alliance is working to ensure six-month, all-oral DR-TB regimens reach all who need them. Our broad access efforts have helped make the rollout of pretomanid and BPaL/M the fastest and most impactful introduction of a novel TB drug and regimen in the modern era.
The pipeline is also strengthening. Next-generation regimens such as SPaL are in late-stage development, with NC-009 trial results to be presented at the 2025 Union World Conference on Lung Health. Together with our partners, we are building toward TB Alliance’s vision: a one-month treatment for active TB and a one-day treatment for latent TB—innovations that could fundamentally change how the world prevents and cures TB.
To translate this promise into impact, sustained investment is essential across discovery, clinical development, manufacturing, regulation, and country-level adoption. That is why ongoing shortfalls in global TB funding are so concerning. COVID-related disruptions showed that breaks in services and financing can take years to undo, at the cost of lives and momentum. We must not repeat that mistake and should instead meet the funding targets agreed at the latest UN High-Level Meeting on TB. Research suggests that investment in neglected disease R&D can yield returns as high as US$405 for every dollar spent, with benefits also resonating in traditional donor economies.
With political will, scientific progress, adequate and sustained funding, and the leadership of TB-affected communities, we can accelerate research, expand access, reduce suffering, and save lives. TB Alliance will continue working with governments, partners, and communities to ensure today’s advances reach everyone who needs them, and that the next wave of innovations is delivered faster, fairly, and at scale. Together, we can end TB.