The BLMs4BU Consortium is proud to announce a significant achievement: after four years of dedicated effort, participant recruitment for its first clinical trial in Benin has been successfully completed. This represents an important milestone in the evaluation of a promising shorter treatment for Buruli ulcer, bringing the project closer to providing new, more accessible options for affected communities.
Despite challenges in recruitment due to a gradual decrease in Buruli ulcer incidence, the project reached full recruitment with a total of 152 participants. This accomplishment was made possible through the extraordinary efforts of our clinical and field teams and the extensive community outreach carried out throughout the study areas. The teams conducted more than 100 mobile consultations and case-finding campaigns, 200 awareness initiatives and 700 weekly visits in endemic communities across Pobè, Lalo and Allada. The commitment and excellent quality work of the project team were key to achieving recruitment that met rigorous scientific standards.
With recruitment now completed, the project will enter a one-year participant follow-up phase, during which participants’ clinical outcomes and safety will be closely monitored. These data will provide essential evidence on the intervention’s efficacy, tolerability, and feasibility of a shorter combination therapy for Buruli ulcer. The results of the clinical trial are expected to be released during 2027 and will offer valuable insights for improving treatment strategies for this neglected tropical disease.
Looking ahead, the Benin team will join forces with Côte d’Ivoire and Togo for the Phase III clinical trial. This collaboration will expand the evaluation of the intervention and bring it one step closer to potential implementation in the region. We celebrate this moment as a remarkable success for the consortium and our partner communities. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our field teams, collaborating institutions, funders and participating communities. Most of all, we thank the volunteers whose generous contribution made this research possible, along with their families and caregivers for their unwavering support. Their commitment has been the foundation of this success, and we are inspired to continue our work toward delivering a safe, effective, and shorter treatment to those affected by Buruli ulcer.