Data Presented on Cempra Pharmaceutical's CEM-101 at the Infectious Diseases Society of America Annual Meeting Reinforces Potency and Coverage Against Multidrug-Resistant S. Pneumoniae Isolates
Complete coverage against S. pneumoniae strains from three continents - Highly active against multidrug-resistant strains; more potent than telithromycin, linezolid and vancomycin
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Cempra
Pharmaceuticals today announced a presentation on its novel
fluoroketolide antibiotic, CEM-101, at the Infectious Diseases
Society of America, 47th Annual Meeting, October 29 to November 1,
2009, in Philadelphia.
Susceptibility of CEM-101 and more than 25 other antibiotics was
tested against 1,737 multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae strains
collected in 2008 from medical centers in the U.S., Europe and
Latin America. CEM-101 demonstrated 100% coverage (100% inhibition
at less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml) against these strains.
Activity was slightly better than telithromycin (MIC90 of 0.25
microgram/ml for both; range of less than or equal to 0.008 to 1
for CEM-101 vs. less than or equal to 0.06 to 2 for telithromycin)
and at least four-fold better than linezolid (MIC90 of 1
microgram/ml) or vancomycin (MIC90 of less than or equal to 1
microgram/ml). The study will be presented during a poster session
on October 30.
CEM-101 is a new fluoroketolide antibiotic with potent and
broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative
pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains, as well as
non-bacterial pathogens such as Plasmodium falciparum. The compound
recently completed a Phase 1 clinical trial and is in preparation
for a Phase 2 trial in moderate to moderately-severe
community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
"The rise of multidrug-resistant organisms has become an
increasing public health issue, particularly for vulnerable patient
populations including those with challenging respiratory
infections," said Prabhavathi Fernandes, Ph.D., Chief Executive
Officer of Cempra Pharmaceuticals. "New medications are needed that
are safe and effective against these difficult-to-treat pathogens.
We believe that the growing database showing the potency and
broad-spectrum activity of CEM-101, not only against the
pneumococcal strains presented here, but against a variety of other
pathogens, indicates the potential of CEM-101 as a future go-to
antibiotic for clinicians."
About Cempra Pharmaceuticals
Founded in 2006, Cempra Pharmaceuticals is a privately-held,
clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing
antibacterials to address critical medical needs. Two lead
products, both in late-stage clinical trials, address the urgent
and increasing need for new treatments targeting drug-resistant
bacterial infections in the hospital and in the community. Cempra
is well-funded and is committed to developing commercially viable
products through consideration of pricing and reimbursement issues
throughout its products' lifecycles. The company is also utilizing
its proprietary chemistry technology to develop macrolides without
antibacterial activity for non-antibiotic uses in motilin receptor
activity, anti-inflammatory activity and GnRH receptor antagonism.
Additional information about Cempra can be found at
www.cempra.com.
Media Contacts: Robert E. Flamm, Ph.D. Russo Partners, LLC (212) 845-4226 Robert.flamm@russopartnersllc.com Tony Russo, Ph.D. Russo Partners, LLC (212) 845-4251 Tony.russo@russopartnersllc.com
Source: Cempra Pharmaceuticals
CONTACT: Robert E. Flamm, Ph.D., +1-212-845-4226,
Robert.flamm@russopartnersllc.com,
or Tony Russo, Ph.D., +1-212-845-4251,
Tony.russo@russopartnersllc.com,
both of Russo Partners, LLC
Web Site: http://www.cempra.com/
Posted: October 2009
