Tick Boot Camp

Episode 463: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. Geoff Dow - Tackling Babesiosis with Malaria Research

1 year ago

Join us for a special live episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference! In this interview, we sit down with Dr. Geoff Dow, an Australian-born researcher specializing in malaria and infectious diseases. Dr. Dow shares his journey from veterinary and biomedical sciences to his groundbreaking work at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the founding of 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, a company dedicated to combating tropical and infectious diseases.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Dow's expertise in malaria research has provided valuable insights into treating Babesia, a parasite closely related to malaria.
  • Tafenoquine, an FDA-approved drug for malaria prevention, has shown promise in experimental models and off-label use for Babesiosis treatment.
  • He emphasizes the importance of clinical data to secure FDA approval for tafenoquine as a Babesiosis treatment, a growing concern in the Lyme disease community.
  • The discussion covers the challenges of off-label drug use and the need for safe and effective medical education regarding new treatment options.
  • Dr. Dow outlines the timeline for FDA approval, estimating 2-3 years if clinical trials are successful.

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Tick Boot Camp is a Lyme disease and tick-borne illness podcast featuring interviews with leading doctors, researchers, scientists, patients, advocates, and experts. Explore Lyme disease symptoms, testing, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, chronic Lyme disease, coinfections, PANS/PANDAS, MCAS, neurological symptoms, emerging research, and the latest advances in tick-borne disease care. Through expert education and powerful patient stories, Tick Boot Camp provides hope, validation, practical information, and a community for people navigating Lyme disease and complex chronic illness.