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Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG)

U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command · Phase 3 active Small molecule ✓ Verified May 2026

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) is a Antiparasitic agent Small molecule drug developed by U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Visceral leishmaniasis, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Also known as: Pentostam (GlaxoSmithKline).

Sodium stibogluconate is a pentavalent antimony compound that kills Leishmania parasites by generating reactive oxygen species and inhibiting their glycolytic enzymes.

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) is a small molecule used to treat various conditions, including Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Primary Visceral Leishmaniasis, and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. It is also being studied in clinical trials for its potential use in treating Cancer.

Likelihood of approval
60.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Anti-infectives pathway favourability +2.0pp
    Microbiological endpoints + non-inferiority designs raise approval rates above baseline.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameSodium Stibogluconate (SSG)
Also known asPentostam (GlaxoSmithKline)
SponsorU.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command
Drug classAntiparasitic agent
TargetLeishmania glycolytic enzymes; reactive oxygen species generation
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaInfectious Disease
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

The drug is converted intracellularly to trivalent antimony, which disrupts the parasite's energy metabolism and generates oxidative stress leading to parasite death. It has been the first-line treatment for leishmaniasis for decades, though the exact molecular mechanism remains incompletely understood. The compound accumulates in infected macrophages where Leishmania resides.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG)

What is Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG)?

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) is a Antiparasitic agent drug developed by U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, indicated for Visceral leishmaniasis, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

How does Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) work?

Sodium stibogluconate is a pentavalent antimony compound that kills Leishmania parasites by generating reactive oxygen species and inhibiting their glycolytic enzymes.

What is Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) used for?

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) is indicated for Visceral leishmaniasis, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

Who makes Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG)?

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) is developed by U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (see full U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command pipeline at /company/u-s-army-medical-research-and-development-command).

Is Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) also known as anything else?

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) is also known as Pentostam (GlaxoSmithKline).

What drug class is Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) in?

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) belongs to the Antiparasitic agent class. See all Antiparasitic agent drugs at /class/antiparasitic-agent.

What development phase is Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) in?

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG)?

Common side effects of Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) include Arthralgia and myalgia, Pancreatitis, Cardiotoxicity (QT prolongation), Elevated liver enzymes, Renal impairment, Injection site reactions.

What does Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) target?

Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) targets Leishmania glycolytic enzymes; reactive oxygen species generation and is a Antiparasitic agent.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing