Shares of 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:SXTP) experienced a significant premarket increase, rising 154% following the revelation of a collaborative effort with telehealth services company Runway Health. Scheduled to commence on April 2, 2026, this partnership is designed to broaden access to 60 Degrees’ flagship malaria prevention medication, ARAKODA.
Dedicated to the development of treatments focused on vector-borne illnesses, 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals is integrating its services with Runway Health’s telehealth platform which connects patients directly with healthcare providers. This integration is poised to streamline pre-travel access to ARAKODA, targeting international travelers destined for regions where malaria is endemic.
ARAKODA (tafenoquine) stands out as the sole FDA-approved, broad-spectrum, once-weekly malaria preventive drug on the U.S. market. Compared to daily malaria prophylactics, ARAKODA’s dosing schedule is less frequent, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noting the medication's terminal half-life at about 16 days. Such pharmacokinetics support its weekly administration convenience.
Utilizing Runway Health’s digital platform, qualified travelers can synchronize their travel plans with individualized medical regimens crafted by U.S.-licensed healthcare professionals. These personalized plans include direct home delivery of prescribed medications prior to the patient's departure, enhancing both convenience and adherence to malaria prevention protocols.
Malaria continues to pose a significant global health challenge, particularly affecting populations in endemic areas and travelers venturing into these regions. The disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, carries the risk of progressing to severe and potentially lethal stages if left untreated.
Originally discovered by Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, ARAKODA obtained FDA approval in 2018 specifically for malaria prevention. The administration regimen involves taking two 100 mg tablets once daily for three days before travel, followed by weekly doses during the travel period for up to six months, and a final dose in the week after returning.