Dengue fever remains one of the most significant global public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 390 million infections are recorded annually. In Vietnam, the epidemiological trends are increasingly difficult to predict due to climate change and the simultaneous circulation of all four Dengue virus serotypes. Although a new generation of vaccines has been deployed since 2024, vaccines cannot entirely replace medical treatment. To date, no specific antiviral drug has been officially approved for Dengue fever worldwide, and treatment primarily relies on symptom management and supportive care.

Information on the Investigational Antiviral Drug Xafty

The drug Xafty, utilized in this clinical trial, represents a major advancement in medicine. It is a repurposed drug based on the active ingredient Niclosamide – a substance long approved by the U.S. FDA. However, the traditional limitation of Niclosamide has been its low bioavailability (less than 10%).

To overcome this, a proprietary Drug Delivery System (DDS) technology has been applied, increasing bioavailability by more than five times. This ensures the drug reaches the necessary concentration in the bloodstream to eliminate the virus. A breakthrough feature of Xafty is its mechanism of triggering “autophagy” in human cells, instructing infected cells to self-degrade the viral particles within. This mechanism helps the drug remain effective against viral mutations.

Clinical Trial Procedures and Objectives in Vietnam

On March 5, 2026, the Ministry of Health officially launched the clinical trial of Xafty in Hanoi. The primary implementing units include the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases and Tien Giang General Hospital. The trial process is required to strictly adhere to the following standards:

• Absolute compliance with the research protocol approved by the Ministry of Health.
• Ensuring scientific integrity, objectivity, and transparency in data collection and evaluation.
• Adherence to international Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.

The study aims not only to treat a single disease but to develop the world’s first comprehensive oral antiviral drug effective against various infectious viruses.

Significance and Expectations for the Healthcare Sector

The implementation of this trial in Vietnam is built upon the extensive clinical experience of medical teams in treating severe Dengue and multi-organ failure. If successful, this trial will be a monumental turning point, enabling the healthcare sector to shift from a defensive posture to a direct attack on viruses.

The research results are expected to reduce mortality rates, alleviate the burden on lower-level hospitals, and enhance Vietnam’s clinical research capacity on the global medical map. This is a crucial step for Vietnam to gradually become a global center for antiviral treatment.

Center for Support & Continuing Education – According to the Ministry of Health