Pharmaceutical Business review

Cubist seeks FDA approval for Ceftolozane/Tazobactam

The ceftolozane/tazobactam is being developed to treat complicated urinary tract and intra-abdominal infections.

The submission of NDA is supported by the positive data from two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials of ceftolozane/tazobactam.

The clinical trials showed ceftolozane/tazobactam activity against problematic Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae in population with complicated infections.

Cubist Research and Development executive vice president and chief scientific officer Steven Gilman said the hopes to bring this potential new treatment option to physicians and their patients to address resistant Gram-negative infections.

"This important milestone reinforces our global commitment to advance the development of antibiotics to combat serious public health threats," Gilman added.

In 2013, ceftolozane/tazobactam was designated as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) by the FDA for its potential indications of cUTI and cIAI.

Awarded according to the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act, the QIDP designation for ceftolozane/tazobactam allows for certain incentives related to the development of new antibiotics.

The company is planning to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the EMA for ceftolozane/tazobactam, in the second half of 2014.