US pharmaceutical major Merck, Sharp & Dohme Inc., (MSD; NYSE: MRK) has announced that it has received marketing approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its combination antibacterial drug, Recarbrio (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam). This new treatment is indicated for patients aged 18 years and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), as well as for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms where limited or no alternative treatment options exist.
Addressing the Challenge of Bacterial Resistance
Bacterial resistance is a significant challenge to global public health, with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) posing a particularly severe threat. These Gram-negative bacteria are resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics, making treatment options scarce. CRE infections are more common in patients with severe underlying diseases, immune deficiencies, and those with a history of long-term, repeated use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The infections are severe, and the limited treatment options available pose a significant threat to clinical diagnosis and patient prognosis. The overall in-hospital mortality rate for CRE-infected patients is a concerning 46.2%.
Recarbrio’s Potential Impact on Combating CRE
The approval of Recarbrio by the NMPA is a significant step forward in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections, particularly CRE. By providing a new treatment option for serious Gram-negative bacterial infections, Recarbrio has the potential to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the mortality rate associated with these challenging infections.-Fineline Info & Tech
