Posted: 3 February 2026
Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH) has announced, on World Neglected Tropical Disease Day, that its first clinical site has been opened and is ready to begin recruiting participants in a Phase 2 clinical study testing dovramilast as a possible new treatment for people with leprosy type 2 reaction.
“Leprosy type 2 reaction disproportionately affects patients in underserved communities and has long had limited treatment options,” said Dr Jane Fisher, Director of Clinical Operations at MDGH. “This study marks a meaningful step toward change, advancing new therapeutic possibilities that have the potential to reduce suffering and bring lasting improvements to patients’ quality of life.”
The multi-national, open-label, randomised Phase 2 study (protocol number MDGH-DOV-2001; NCT07172659) has been designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dovramilast administered at doses of 100 mg or 150 mg compared with standard of care in adults with moderate to severe acute or recurrent leprosy type 2 reaction. The study will evaluate the signs and symptoms of leprosy type 2 reaction, including skin lesions.
Approximately 45 people are expected to take part in the study, with clinical sites opened or soon to be opened in the Philippines, Indonesia, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, and the United States.
The development of dovramilast as a treatment for leprosy type 2 reaction aligns with MDGH’s core vision for unlocking global health equity through accessible, innovative medicines. This milestone represents a major step forward in the development of new treatment options for individuals affected by neglected tropical diseases. MDGH has acknowledged the funding support of its partners, including Amgen Inc, the Partnerships for a Health Region program of the Australian Government, Lonza Inc, and 15 family offices, trusts and foundations.
