Positive Phase III Results for Two Antibiotics, Zinforo and Investigational Ceftazidime-Avibactam

AstraZeneca has presented positive Phase III data demonstrating the efficacy and safety of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI), an investigational antibiotic being developed to treat serious Gram-negative bacterial infections including complicated intra-abdominal infections. New Phase III data was also presented for Zinforo (ceftaroline fosamil), an antibiotic approved for the treatment of adult patients with complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTI) or community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

AstraZeneca held a symposium at the congress, which highlighted the need for new treatment strategies to address antibiotic resistant infections, which remains a rapidly accelerating global concern. Epidemiological data was presented at the symposium which demonstrated the high clinical burden associated with Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections, including those caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.

'Multi-resistant bacteria are a growing problem worldwide. Globalisation, travel and migration mean that those which evolve in one place swiftly reach others, adding risk, cost and complexity to treatment,' said Professor David Livermore, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK and speaker at the symposium. 'New antibiotics - along with better stewardship and infection control are our best answers to this challenge. And, in this
context, ceftaroline and ceftazidime-avibactam are both welcome developments.'