BASEL, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwire - November 22, 2012) - Basilea Pharmaceutica AG / Basilea
initiates next phase 1 multiple ascending dose study with antibiotic
BAL30072 active against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
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Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today that it has
initiated the next planned pharmacokinetic phase 1 healthy volunteer study
in its clinical development program for BAL30072, Basilea's new
investigational antibiotic with activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-
negative bacteria.
Gram-negative pathogens account for approximately half of all hospital-
acquired bacterial infections. Many Gram-negative pathogens have acquired
the ability to produce enzymes that destroy beta-lactam antibiotics, which
have been the mainstay of antibiotic therapy for several decades.
Multidrug-resistant bacteria for which there are few or no therapeutic
options available are being encountered with increasing frequency and are
associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays and higher
healthcare costs.
BAL30072 is a novel injectable sulfactam antibiotic that in in-vitro and
in-vivo models demonstrated potent bactericidal activity against a broad
range of clinically relevant multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens
such as Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter species. BAL30072 overcomes several
mechanisms of bacterial resistance. In particular, it is not easily
destroyed by bacterial enzymes such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases
(ESBLs), carbapenemases or the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1),
which cause resistance to many marketed antibiotics.
Prof. Achim Kaufhold, Chief Medical Officer of Basilea, stated: "Due to its
potent antimicrobial activity BAL30072 has the potential to play an
essential role in the therapy of serious and life-threatening infections
caused by Gram-negative bacteria for which currently only limited
therapeutic options exist. We are now expanding our phase 1 clinical
program for this promising drug candidate to optimize dosing regimens in
preparation for phase 2 clinical studies."
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.
This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.
Press release (PDF):
http://hugin.info/134390/R/1659937/537459.pdf
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Source: Basilea Pharmaceutica AG via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1659937]