The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started formal evaluation of a drug designed to prevent Lyme disease, an infection caused by bacteria transmitted through ticks.
Efficacy and development
According to reports published by El País, the treatment showed a 74% efficacy in clinical trials conducted with infected ticks. The results were obtained through controlled tests that monitored the elimination of bacteria from tick vectors' guts.
Mechanism of action
The drug acts directly inside the stomach of ticks, where the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium resides, causing Lyme disease. Once absorbed into the tick's digestive system, it either inactivates or kills the bacteria before they can be transmitted to humans during walks or contact with animals.
Official evaluation
The EMA has now initiated a formal assessment phase to determine whether the medication meets the regulatory standards necessary for authorization in Europe. This stage includes additional analyses on safety and efficacy under real-world natural environmental conditions.