Basilea's antibiotic ceftobiprole obtains regulato

BASEL, Switzerland, Oct. 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today the approval of its antibiotic ceftobiprole in Europe. Ceftobiprole is indicated for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia) and community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Ceftobiprole has broad-spectrum activity against many pathogens that cause pneumonia including Gram-positive pathogens such as penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and various Gram-negative pathogens including Pseudomonas species. Basilea submitted the ceftobiprole Marketing Authorization Application under the Decentralized Procedure (DCP) initially in 12 European Union Member States including the major markets in Europe. In accordance with the DCP, each of the involved Member States are expected to grant national authorizations within the coming months. "Basilea is committed to develop new medicines that fight the increasing threat of resistance," stated Basilea's Chief Executive Officer Ronald Scott. "The European approval of ceftobiprole in pneumonia marks another significant milestone for our company. Ceftobiprole has the broadest spectrum of activity of any approved anti-MRSA agent. It is the first broad-spectrum anti-MRSA cephalosporin monotherapy for both hospital- and community-acquired pneumonia. We will work with authorities, hospital formularies, clinicians and potential partners to bring this new antibiotic to patients as soon as possible." Basilea's Chief Medical Officer Prof. Achim Kaufhold added: "Ceftobiprole has broad-spectrum activity against many pathogens that cause pneumonia. Its spectrum extends to isolates resistant to other commonly used antibiotics like penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to vancomycin or linezolid. In the phase 3 pneumonia studies ceftobiprole was comparable to a standard-of-care regimen consisting of two drugs. Ceftobiprole may simplify physicians' treatment choice when the causative organism of an infection is not known and offers coverage over a broad range of bacteria right from the start of empiric therapy." The European authorities' positive decision will support additional regulatory submissions in many markets around the world. In Switzerland, a ceftobiprole Marketing Authorization Application for the treatment of hospital- and community-acquired pneumonia in adults is currently under review by the regulatory authority Swissmedic. About ceftobiprole Ceftobiprole medocaril (ceftobiprole) is a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic from the cephalosporin class for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia) and community-acquired pneumonia. Ceftobiprole has demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, VRSA) and penicillin- and ceftriaxone-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP, CRSP) as well as Gram-negative pathogens including strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas species. About hospital-acquired and community-acquired pneumonia Hospital-acquired pneumonia is one of the most common infections in the hospital, accounting for approximately 25% of all intensive care unit (ICU) infections, and is associated with significant mortality.[1],[2] Community- acquired pneumonia is a common condition with up to 60% of the patients requiring hospital admission and intravenous antibiotics.[3] Prompt empiric intervention with an appropriate broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment is accepted as best medical practice. The increasing incidence of bacteria resistant to many established antibiotics is a major concern. Conference call Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. invites you to participate in a conference call on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 4 p.m. (CEST), during which the company will discuss today's press release. Dial-in numbers are: +41 (0) 58 310 50 00 (Europe and ROW) +1 (1) 631 570 5613 (USA) +44 (0) 203 059 5862 (UK) A playback will be available 1 hour after the conference call until Friday, October 25, 2013, 6 p.m. (CEST). Participants requesting a digital playback may dial: +41 (0) 91 612 4330 (Europe and ROW) +1 (1) 866 416 2558 (USA) +44 (0) 207 108 6233 (UK) and will be asked to enter the ID 15072 followed by the # sign. About Basilea Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Through the fully integrated research and development operations of its Swiss subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., the company focuses on innovative pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and oncology, targeting the medical challenge of rising resistance and non-response to current treatment options. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward- looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: +-----------------------------+--------------------------------+ | Media Relations | Investor Relations | +-----------------------------+--------------------------------+ | Peer Nils Schröder, PhD | Barbara Zink, PhD, MBA | | Head Public Relations & | Head Corporate Development | | Corporate Communications | | | +41 61 606 1102 | +41 61 606 1233 | | media_relations@basilea.com | investor_relations@basilea.com | +-----------------------------+--------------------------------+ This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com . References [1] Torres A, Ferrer M and Badia JR. Treatment guidelines and outcomes of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2010; 51: S48-S53. [2] Barbier F, Andremont A, Wolff M, Bouadma L. Hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia: recent advances in epidemiology and management. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine 2013; 19: 216-228. [3] Sligl WI, Marrie TJ. Severe community-acquired pneumonia. Critical Care Clinics 2013; 29: 563-601. Press release (PDF): http://hugin.info/134390/R/1737484/582542.pdf [HUG#1737484]