- 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals (SXTP, Financial) survey reveals U.S. babesiosis cases may be significantly underreported.
- 1.26% of respondents, around 3 million people, reported a babesiosis diagnosis vs. CDC's 1,834 cases in 2020.
- Approximately 17% of babesiosis patients reported chronic symptoms lasting six months or more.
60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SXTP), focused on developing medicines for infectious diseases, unveiled preliminary findings from a recent survey indicating that the prevalence of babesiosis in the United States might be considerably underestimated by current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) figures. While the CDC reported 1,834 cases in 2020, the company's survey found that 1.26% of adults, approximately 3 million individuals, have received a babesiosis diagnosis at some point in their lives.
The comprehensive survey included a demographically representative sample of 6,000 U.S. adults. Among these, about 17% of diagnosed babesiosis patients reported prolonged symptoms extending over six months, equating to an estimated 570,000 U.S. adults experiencing chronic illness. This data underscores the potential for a substantial number of undiagnosed cases, with a significant portion of the population suffering from persistent symptoms.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 3.7% of respondents, approximately 9.9 million Americans, reported enduring chronic fatigue for more than six months. Of those, 56% were formally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), suggesting babesiosis might contribute to unexplained persistent fatigue. These insights highlight potential gaps in existing public health data, driving the need for better diagnostic practices and revealing a larger market opportunity for effective babesiosis treatments.
With these findings, 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals aims to further research into treatment options, using their current clinical trials to consider hypotheses around chronic babesiosis and its association with long-term symptoms such as fatigue. As the company continues to explore the commercial potential for babesiosis therapies, their commitment to addressing these underreported health challenges remains a priority.
