Repurposing oxfendazole for onchocerciasis: Population pharmacokinetics of a tablet formulation in healthy African adults

by Assmus F, Adehin A, Hoglund RM, Nyaulingo G, Mbarak H, Jongo S, Ackermann E, Reus E, Keiser J, Barreira Da Silva Rocha F, Specht S, Scandale I, Tarning J. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology 2026;15(2):e70189. doi: 10.1002/psp4.70189

Summary: A Phase I bioavailability trial of oxfendazole, a veterinary anthelminthic with macrofilaricidal activity, evaluated a tablet formulation in healthy African adults. The authors of this manuscript used data from the trial to characterize the population pharmacokinetic properties of oxfendazole and its major metabolites. Twenty-four participants received oxfendazole (eight per dose group: 100 mg single dose, 400 mg single dose, 400 mg once daily for five days). All cohorts were pooled and analysed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling. Simulations suggested that 400 mg once daily (or 50 mg twice daily) for five days is required to achieve putative exposure targets, with a low risk of safety concerns. The population pharmacokinetic model adequately described oxfendazole pharmacokinetics in healthy African adults and supports dosing selection for future clinical trials.

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