Cempra Pharma paid the milestone following the development of macrolide (CEM-101) for the treatment of respiratory infections.
Cempra Pharma has licensed CEM-101 from Optimer Pharma and has completed a Phase 1 study.
CEM-101 is an oral macrolide entering Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).
In-vitro and in-vivo studies of CEM-101 have shown potent activity against S pneumoniae as well as an extended spectrum of activity against community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureaus (CA-MRSA), M avium and in animal models of malaria.
The studies have also indicated that CEM-101 is active against atypical bacteria, such as Legionella, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma and against gonococci and other organisms that cause genitourinary tract infections.
Pedro Lichtinger, president and CEO of Optimer, said: “The successful completion of the CEM-101 Phase 1 study further validates our OPopS drug discovery platform. We are pleased to see this compound progress into the next phase of development by Cempra.”