BASEL, Switzerland, June 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) reports that it had a further discussion regarding ceftobiprole with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in light of new regulatory requirements for pneumonia in the U.S. In this recent discussion, the FDA confirmed that a potential regulatory approval of ceftobiprole for the treatment of pneumonia in the U.S. would require additional phase 3 data. The FDA confirmed that the current ceftobiprole studies should be complemented with prospective data in community and hospital-acquired pneumonia in accordance with its new guidelines. Basilea does not currently intend to initiate new phase 3 trials for ceftobiprole without a partner for the U.S.
Ronald Scott, Basilea's Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are currently focused on preparing the launch of ceftobiprole for the treatment of community and hospital-acquired pneumonia in Europe with a pharmaceutical distributor or contract sales organization. We anticipate that ceftobiprole will be available in the first key European markets in the second half of this year." He continued: "Another major milestone for Basilea will be the regulatory submission of isavuconazole for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis. We anticipate filing in Europe mid this year and we also anticipate a mid-year filing by our partner Astellas in the U.S. We are excited to potentially adding a second anti-infective to our commercial portfolio of hospital drugs. The significant overlap in the prescribing base between ceftobiprole and isavuconazole could provide a unique opportunity to optimize the value of both drugs by leveraging significant promotional synergy."
About ceftobiprole
Ceftobiprole (ceftobiprole medocaril) is a broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic from the cephalosporin class for the first-line treatment of severe bacterial infections. Ceftobiprole has gained regulatory authorization from twelve European states for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP, excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia, VAP) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in patients 18 years of age and older, and is currently under regulatory review in Switzerland. In the U.S., ceftobiprole is an investigational drug. Ceftobiprole demonstrated broad-spectrum in-vitro bactericidal 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 .
About isavuconazole
Isavuconazole (isavuconazonium sulfate) is an investigational once-daily intravenous and oral broad-spectrum antifungal for the potential treatment of severe invasive and life-threatening fungal infections. It is currently in phase 3 of clinical development. Detailed results from the SECURE phase 3 study were reported in May 2014, while topline data of the VITAL phase 3 study were reported in February 2014. The two studies will form the basis of a potential regulatory filing for isavuconazole in Europe and the U.S. mid-2014.
Isavuconazole demonstrated in-vitro and in-vivo coverage of a broad range of yeasts (such as Candida species) and molds (such as Aspergillus species), including emerging and often fatal molds such as those that cause mucormycosis. In the U.S., isavuconazole was granted FDA fast-track status and received QIDP and orphan drug designations for invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis (zygomycosis).
Isavuconazole is being co-developed with Astellas Pharma Inc. Basilea holds full rights to isavuconazole in all markets outside of the U.S. and Canada, where Astellas is the license holder.
Conference call
Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. invites you to participate in a conference call on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 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, June 27, 2014, 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 14167 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 Head Public Relations & Corporate Communications +41 61 606 1102 media_relations@basilea.com | Barbara Zink, PhD, MBA Head Corporate Development +41 61 606 1233 investor_relations@basilea.com |
This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com .
Press release (PDF) http://hugin.info/134390/R/1801512/620981.pdf
HUG#1801512
