Evofem Biosciences is taking a big step toward expanding its footprint outside the U.S. The company’s MENA partner, Pharma 1, has filed for regulatory approval in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to commercialize SOLOSEC® (secnidazole) 2 g oral granules, a single-dose treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis.

If approved, the launch would mark Evofem’s first commercialization of SOLOSEC in the Middle East, a region where prevalence of both conditions is strikingly high.

Why It Matters

Sexual health remains underserved in much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Studies show that between 25% and 41% of women in MENA suffer from BV, while a recent meta-analysis found 4.7% of women in the region carry trichomoniasis—rates that spike significantly in higher-risk groups. For the UAE alone, that translates to roughly 1 to 1.7 million women affected by BV.

Unlike multi-day regimens that risk poor adherence, SOLOSEC delivers a complete course of therapy in a single oral dose, making it attractive to both physicians and patients navigating compliance challenges.

Pharma 1 Takes the Lead

Pharma 1, an Emirati healthcare company founded in 2019, holds exclusive commercialization rights for both SOLOSEC and Evofem’s PHEXXI®, a hormone-free contraceptive gel, across the Middle East. That includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.

The company is responsible for distribution, sales, pharmacovigilance, and marketing, with Evofem positioned to benefit from an expanded revenue stream once approvals land.

“SOLOSEC treats both conditions with just one oral dose,” said Abdulwahab Atfah, CEO of Pharma 1. “We expect SOLOSEC will be extremely well received in the medical community, among women with BV, and by men and women afflicted with trichomoniasis.”

Global Context

While antibiotics for trichomoniasis exist, adherence remains a global problem. The World Health Organization estimates 156.3 million new cases worldwide every year—nearly half of them in men. Non-compliance and undiagnosed infections fuel continued spread, underscoring the need for simpler, more effective options like single-dose therapy.

Evofem CEO Saundra Pelletier called the UAE filing “an important milestone toward commercialization outside the U.S.” and confirmed the company expects Pharma 1’s first order “shortly after approval.”

The Bottom Line

If greenlit, SOLOSEC could become a valuable tool for physicians in the UAE and broader GCC, where sexual health awareness is growing but treatment compliance remains a persistent challenge. For Evofem, the move represents both geographic expansion and a potential new revenue channel as it looks beyond the U.S. market.

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