60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals plans ARAKODA sales expansion for 2026

60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: SXTP) announced plans to expand sales and marketing initiatives for its malaria prevention drug ARAKODA in 2026 following a six-month commercial pilot that showed increased product sales.

The Washington-based pharmaceutical company will double its inside sales representatives, partner with GoodRx for broader point-of-sale offer visibility, and enhance its digital marketing campaign. The expansion follows what the company described as increasing demand trends among prescribers during the pilot period.

"Results of our commercial pilot intended to measure market demand among prescribers demonstrated increasing demand trends," said Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dow.

ARAKODA, containing the active ingredient tafenoquine, received FDA approval for malaria prophylaxis in 2018. The drug is taken as a loading dose for three days before travel, weekly during travel for up to six months, and once following travel.

The company also plans to add at least two clinical sites for babesiosis treatment trials. This follows FDA feedback declining the company's breakthrough therapy designation request for babesiosis treatment. The FDA acknowledged babesiosis meets criteria as a serious or life-threatening condition and suggested resubmitting the request with data from ongoing controlled clinical trials.

Two babesiosis studies are currently underway: a randomized placebo-controlled study in hospitalized patients and an expanded access study for high-risk patients with treatment-refractory relapsing disease.

ARAKODA is not approved for babesiosis treatment or prevention. The drug requires glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase testing before prescription due to hemolytic anemia risks and carries warnings for psychiatric effects and other adverse reactions.

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