European drug regulators have approved a new treatment for sleeping sickness, a serious infectious disease found mainly in rural parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The decision was announced by a scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency and supports global efforts to eliminate the disease. The medicine, called acoziborole and developed by Sanofi, is planned for use in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where most reported cases occur, with access expected to expand to other African countries. Sleeping sickness spreads through the bite of tsetse flies and can cause fever, confusion, and dangerous changes in sleep patterns. Health records show fewer than 600 cases of the most common form were reported in 2024, compared with thousands several decades ago, showing major progress. However, current treatments often require long hospital stays, complex testing, and strong medical infrastructure, which is limited in many affected regions.

The new treatment simplifies care by using a single dose of three pills taken at one time, reducing the need for hospital travel. Clinical research involving about 200 patients in Congo and Guinea showed that more than 95 percent were considered cured after 18 months of follow-up. These results supported approval for patients aged 12 and older and for both early and advanced stages of the disease. The treatment also removes the need for spinal taps, which were previously required to guide care. Public health experts say easier treatment could help reach remote communities and support the World Health Organization goal to stop transmission by 2030. Some uncertainty remains about hidden infections, but Sanofi plans to donate the medicine through the World Health Organization to ensure free access.