Preterm labor remains a major challenge in obstetrics. According to the Gesthera presentation, preterm birth represented around 10% of births worldwide in 2020 and remains associated with significant neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly at earlier gestational ages.
In acute preterm labor, even a short delay in delivery can be clinically important. A 48-hour prolongation of pregnancy may allow corticosteroids to reach their full effect on fetal lung maturation and may also make it possible to transfer the mother to a center equipped with neonatal intensive care facilities.
Current tocolytic treatments are designed to suppress uterine contractions, but their use is limited by efficacy, tolerability or regulatory status. Some treatments are used off-label, while others may carry maternal or fetal risks. This underlines the need for new therapeutic options specifically developed for preterm labor.
