By Fineline Cube 
US-based Merck, Sharp & Dohme Inc. (MSD; NYSE: MRK) announced on August 13, 2025, the official launch of its new cephalosporin/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination, ceftolozane/tazobactam for injection (trademark: Zerbaxa) in China. This provides clinicians with a new option to address complex drug-resistant infections, such as those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E).
Regulatory Approval
Zerbaxa received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in February 2025 for the following indications:
- In combination with metronidazole for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by susceptible Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms in adult and pediatric patients (from birth to under 18 years of age).
- Treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms in adult and pediatric patients (from birth to under 18 years of age).
- Treatment of hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) caused by susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms in adult patients (18 years and older).-Fineline Info & Tech