60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Transforms Malaria Prevention Access Through Strategic Runway Health Partnership

Travelers facing endemic malaria threats now have a more convenient pathway to protection. 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals has unveiled a strategic collaboration with Runway Health, a direct-to-patient telehealth platform, designed to streamline access to ARAKODA—the FDA-approved, once-weekly prescription medication for malaria prevention in the United States. The partnership, officially commencing April 2, 2026, represents a significant shift in how preventative medications reach international travelers before departure.

Why Global Malaria Prevention Demands Innovation

Malaria remains among the world’s most pressing infectious diseases, representing a critical health challenge for the 2 million annual travelers visiting endemic regions. Without timely intervention, the parasitic infection can escalate rapidly, creating life-threatening complications. Traditional prescribing channels often impose delays and logistical barriers precisely when advance planning matters most for travelers. This gap in accessibility has prompted pharmaceutical companies to reimagine distribution models around patient convenience.

The Collaboration Model: Pre-Departure Convenience Redefined

The partnership between 60 Degrees and Runway Health eliminates traditional friction from the malaria prevention process. Travelers can complete physician-led online consultations directly through Runway Health’s platform before travel begins. Upon prescription approval, ARAKODA is delivered straight to the patient’s residence with sufficient time before departure. This model addresses a critical market need: making evidence-based prevention as frictionless as booking a flight.

For 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, this digital channel complements existing ARAKODA distribution strategies, creating a multi-touchpoint approach to market penetration. Runway Health’s patient-first infrastructure positions both organizations to capture the growing segment of health-conscious travelers seeking convenient, medically-supervised prevention options.

ARAKODA’s Clinical Distinction: Weekly Dosing Advantage

ARAKODA (tafenoquine) operates on a distinctly different timeline compared to conventional malaria prophylaxis. The regimen requires a three-day loading phase, followed by once-weekly doses throughout the travel period—extending up to six months of protection—and concludes with a final dose one week post-return. This simplified dosing schedule represents a meaningful advantage over daily-dosing alternatives.

The drug’s extended clinical profile reflects rigorous evaluation through five randomized, double-blind controlled trials lasting up to six months. Originally discovered by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, tafenoquine’s chemistry delivers an approximately 16-day terminal half-life, according to CDC data. This pharmacological characteristic translates to less-frequent dosing requirements, offering both improved compliance and patient convenience compared to competing prevention strategies.

ARAKODA carries FDA approval for adult malaria prophylaxis in the U.S. market and operates under the brand name KODATEF in Australia, demonstrating successful international regulatory acceptance.

Financial Performance and Market Confidence

The market has responded positively to 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals’ expansion initiatives. The company reported ARAKODA revenue of $438 thousand during the third quarter of 2025, representing remarkable 224% growth compared to the same period one year prior—jumping from just $135 thousand. This revenue trajectory reflects expanding market adoption and clinical acceptance.

In January 2026, 60 Degrees implemented a one-for-four reverse stock split, a capital structure adjustment executed on January 20. Currently, SXTP trades at $7.27, reflecting a substantial 263.51% increase. This stock performance suggests investor confidence in the company’s strategic positioning around malaria prevention market expansion and the commercial potential of digital-first distribution channels like the Runway Health partnership.

The convergence of clinical efficacy, regulatory approval, convenient dosing, and now streamlined distribution access positions 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals at an inflection point within the travel health market—where medical necessity intersects with consumer demand for simplified healthcare experiences.